Abstract

Lexical gap is an inevitable phenomenon in cross-cultural communication. It is common to encounter conceptual vacancy or semantic vacancy in cross-cultural communication. Through the case study on American version of Empresses in the Palace, this paper is intended to analyze the phenomenon of lexical gap, to discuss the causes of the gaps and the influence caused by the cultural differences on the formation of lexical gap, and to put forward the countermeasures, for the purpose of achieving the mutual understanding and communication between people with quite different cultural background.

Keywords: cross-cultural communication; Empresses in the Palace; lexical gap; cultural differences; strategies

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-1

3.Analysis of the Phenomenon of Lexical Gap in Cross-cultural Communication-3

3.1 Conceptual vacancy-3

3.2 Semantic vacancy-4

4. Causes of Cultural Differences Resulting in Lexical Gap-5

4.1 Different living environment-5

4.2 Different religious beliefs-6

4.3 Different historical allusions-7

4.4 Different social customs-8

4.5 Different thoughts-9

5. Strategies for Filling Lexical Gap in Cross-cultural Communication-10

5.1 Strategies for translation-10

5.2 Strategies for cross-cultural communication-12

6. Conclusion-13

Works Cited-15