A comparative study of the cultural connotations of animal words in Russian and Chinese

animal words are important carriers of cultural connotation in language, reflecting a nation's way of thinking, values, and cultural traditions. The relevance of this article lies in the detailed analysis of common animal words in Chinese and Russian, offering a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in their cultural meanings, as well as the underlying causes. While the cultural connotations of animal words have been widely explored in comparisons between Chinese and English, relatively little research has been conducted in the context of Chinese and Russian. As a supplement to existing studies, this paper aims to fill that gap by drawing on classical texts, proverbs, and other sources to explore the cultural significance of animal vocabulary within Chinese and Russian linguistic environments. The study finds that different nations may hold similar or contrasting emotional attitudes toward the same animal word, mainly influenced by perspectives of observation, religious beliefs, and differences in cultural psychology. By conducting an in-depth comparative analysis of the cultural connotations of animal words in Chinese and Russian, this paper seeks to help language learners from both cultures deepen their understanding, reduce barriers in intercultural communication, and better grasp the cultural essence of the Chinese and Russian languages.

animal words, cultural connotations, the Chinese language, the Russian language, intercultural communication, religious beliefs, cultural-psychological characteristics, proverbs, emotional associations, comparative study