A CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF CHINESE AND MALAY ANIMAL WORDS

Abstract

The Chinese and Malaysian people have evolved an in-depth observation and comprehension of animals, resulting in complex linkages and the formation of a great number of animal-related words. These animal words not only relate to diverse creatures in nature. But they also include the distinct cultural characteristics of both countries. Because of the two countries' distinct cultural environments, mentalities, lifestyles, religious convictions, and historical backgrounds, there are also various interpretations of how animals are perceived and understood, resulting in both similar and disparate cultural connotations of the words related with them. It will not be difficult for native speakers to understand, but it will inevitably be difficult for second-language learners who lack such cultural knowledge. Consider this, this paper compiles animal words in Chinese and Malay. The interdependence of language and culture serves as the foundation for this paper's comparative analysis of frequently used animal words in Chinese and Malay using descriptive explanation and comparative analysis. To accomplish the goal of language cross-cultural communication for second language learners and develop their cross-cultural awareness, the objective of this study is to investigate the similarities and differences in the cultural meanings of animal words in these two languages and discover the factors that impact their cultural similarities and differences.