A Quantitative and Comparative Research on Chinese and English Numerical Phrases

Numerical phases have rich cultural connotations and connect closely with culture. Along with the extension of China’s reform and opening up policy, cross-cultural communication tends to be wider. The comparative research on cross-cultural languages is very important. Because of different cultural backgrounds, the cultural connotations of Chinese and English numerical phases are quite different. This paper tries to make a comparative research on the cultural connotations of numerical phases (include numbers from one to ten), in order to reveal the importance of cultural connotation characteristics in cross-cultural communication.

Secondly, Chinese numerical phases have rich and complex cultural connotations. We can explore on this point by equivalents (words and phases are not required for cultural interpretation in English-Chinese translation). In Table 1, numerical phases, composed of Chinese "one", are 508, with 96 equivalents, accounting for 18% of the total. Phases, composed of Chinese "four", are 82, with 29 equivalents, accounting for 35% of the total. The top percentage is 66%, for the Chinese "two". In the 1038 Chinese numerical phases in research, equivalents are 330, accounting for 30.4% of the total. It indicates that nearly 70% Chinese numerical phases need cultural interpretation in translation. Literal translation can not convey the meanings clearly, such asYiguoduan (totally exterminate; give one's all), Errenzhuan (song-and-dance ), Erlangtui (cross-legged), Sangechoupijiang, Dinggezhugeliang (the wisdom of masses exceeds that of the wisest individual), Sizuo (all present), Sifenwulie (fall apart; all split up; disintegrate), Liuishenwuzhu (be out of one's wits), Liuqinburen (disown one's relatives), Qishoubajiao (with everybody lending a hand), Qishangbaxia (be perturbed), Babeizi (a long time ), Bajiubulishi (about right pretty close), Shiquanshimei (reaching the acme of perfection).
Thirdly, Chinese "three" has been given rich cultural connotations, such as three communities, three parties, three-dimensional, three-pile, three-ring circus, and so on. In Table 1, the numerical phases, composed of Chinese "three", are 153, and 94 with cultural markers, accounting for 61.4% of the total. In Table 2, the numerical phases, composed of English "three", are 175, and 97 with cultural markers, accounting for 55.4% of the total, being six percentage lower then Chinese similar phases. In Number Words Ocean, phases, composed of "three", are 3658, such as three generations (Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasty), Three Wise Kings (Fuxi, Shennong, and Yellow Emperor), three excellences (Taishi, Taibao, and Taizai), three religions (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism), three sacrificed animals (cattle, sheep, and pig), three festivals (Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and New Year), and so on. More idioms, such as luck for three incarnations, books written in remote antiquity, the three religions and the nine schools of thought, double-minded, look before you leap, and so on. Finally, even for the same numerical phase, its cultural connotation is various.
In Table 2, there are 848 English numerical phases, 190 less than Chinese numerical phases. 276 English numerical phases have cultural markers, accounting for 32.5% of the total, less 40 percentage than that in Table 1. The equivalents in English numerical phases account for 62.4% of the total, higher 32 percentage than that in Table 1. In special, many numerical phases, without cultural connotations, are used in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. These phases mean to describe certain thing or theory, displaying the preciseness of science.
Main reasons for the difference are: (1) The difference is mainly determined by the history and culture environment in which Chinese and English are. For Chinese-speaking people, they have live in a society since the ancient time, where agriculture economy is dominating, impacts of ethics and morals are profound, and ways of thinking are based on matters. Especially, the humanism science was developed in ancient society. Besides, due to the characteristics of Chinese words, Chinese numerical phases have been given various cultural connotations. Therefore, anything, such as mountains and scenery, astronomical calendar, literature and art, morality and religion, and basic necessities, connects with numbers. Compared with Chinese, English-speaking people have live in a society with developed natural science and prosperous commerce and economy. Numerical phases are widely used in these fields. In addition, English basic words are classified clearly. As a result, the cultural connotations of English numerical phases are not as richer as Chinese ones. So does in practical use.
(2) Language is the carrier of culture, and also a reflection of people's life experience. Chinese numerical phase "Sanxiawuchuer" means to do things quickly and properly. This phase is associated with abacus. Abacus is an effective tool for calculation in ancient China. Its function is equal to today's calculator. "Sanxiawuchuer" is one of basic fundamental pitchy formulas in abacus. With simple pitchy formulas, ancient people can perform a series of calculation with abacus. Therefore, the pitchy formula "Sanxiawuchuer" conveys the meanings of fast and quick. Similarly, many English numerical phases reflect English nation's cultural life. The English nation loves sports. Physical activities are important parts in their life. Many numerical phases associate with sports. For example, "one-two" means two fast strikes in boxing. "Three-quarter" means halfback in rugby. "Four-some" means doubles in golf. "Fives" means a ball game played by hands or clubs. "The Eights" means a boating game between Cambridge University and Oxford University. "Nine-pins" and "ten-pins" respectively refers to the skittle and ten columns in bowling. "Go over like nine pins" metaphors rickety to collapse.
(3) In English or Chinese, different number may express same meanings, what associates with national psychology. For example, in English "Five and Dime" refers to shops especially selling cheap goods. In China, the "eight-Yuan" shop, appeared in many cities, also focuses on cheap goods. Similar shops are named with different numbers, which reflects different attitudes of two nations. Chinese seek for happiness in naming something. The "eight-Yuan" shop can convey the information that the business man will win money and consumers will get luck by buying nice goods at lower prices. Moreover, Chinese do not like what others say about their own petty. Five or Dime seems to be too shabby. Therefore, although there are Five and Dime in Chinese currency system, businesses will not name their stores with "Five and Dime". On the contrary, English nation is more practical. Five and Dime tells that this store can offer real benefits for customers. Although the Five and Dime also sells goods at higher prices than Five or Dime, this expression is preserved in English and still in use today.
(4) The two nations have different ways of thinking. Chinese advocate moderation and reconciliation, and avoid extremes. Even for exaggeration, they prefer to be moderate. The English nation pursues for differences. In expression, they prefer to large numbers in exaggeration. Sometimes, different numbers in English or Chinese can express similar or same meanings. For example, the Chinese idiom "Bailitiaoyi" (one in a hundred) means somebody or something is special and outstanding. Similarly, the English numerical phase "one in a thousand" also means be different. In the two phases, the Chinese word "Bai" (hundred) or the English word "thousand" is used for exaggeration. The number used by English is ten times than that used by Chinese. Similarly, Chinese use "Shifenganxie" (ten thanks) or "Baifenganxie" (a hundred thanks) to expression "very grateful". In contrast, English use "a thousand thanks" or "thanks a million" to express the same meaning. So, English exaggerate greater than Chinese.

Chinese numerical phases focus on reflecting philosophy, while English numerical phases religion.
From Table 1, among 1038 Chinese numerical phases, 590 phases associate with ancient philosophy. In Table 2, the percentage is only 3.2%, far lower than the percentage of Chinese. Similarly, according to The Dictionary of Symbols in China's Culture, written by Wolfram Eberhard, in a Chinese dictionary, it lists twelve meanings of "five" and 1148 kinds of usage, and about more than 1000 kinds directly connect with Wuxing (five elements). Check the Chinese Dictionary, 504 entries are guided by "three", and about 60% originate from the Sanweiyiti (three-in-one) philosophy idea (see Table 3). From these data, to reflect philosophy ideas or be affected philosophy ideas is an important content of Chinese numerical phases' cultural connotations.
From Table 2, many English numerical phases have religious color. In the 848 numerical phases, 50 of them relate with religion, accounting for 5.9% of the total, and 32.5% of numerical phases with cultural markers. In contrast, the percentage in Table 1 is only about 2% or so. For example, eightfold path (Buddhism term), four horsemen (four human plagues: wars, hungry, diseases, and death), four noble, six-prineiple Baptist, seven en, etc.
Reasons for these differences are: Associate with the cultural origins of Chinese and English. Many Chinese numerical phases have the cultural connotations derived from ancient philosophy, reflecting the idea of integrating the sky and human being together. It

The common for the cultural connotations of Chinese and English numerical phases
By researching on the linguistic meanings of English and Chinese numerical phases, scholars agree that numbers in phases are usually virtual but not real. And in practical uses, numbers are usually for metaphor, exaggeration, and euphemistic (it does not prove its equivalence. The same number may have different meanings in different contexts). For example, "three" have many different meanings in Chinese. In "three or two words", "three" means few. In "three orders and five emphases", "three" means much. In "three inches foot", "three" means short. In "three-long two-short", "three" means once. Why the same number indicates different meanings? Or even the contrary meanings? We can explain this phenomenon from mathematic field and culture. In natural numbers, "three" is only bigger than "one" and "two". So "three" is a small number. In Chinese, comparing "three or two words" and "one thousand or ten thousand words", "three" is few. Comparing "three minds and two ideas" and "one mine and one idea", "three" is more. In English, "three" also has many meanings. "Three-ring circus" means a mess condition. "Three sheets in the wind" shows a drunken state. "Three handkerchiefs" refer to a sad play. Therefore, in English "three" means "mess" and "real". The "real" meaning of "three" is from the three-dimension concept. Because a three-dimensional movie can give people a sense of real life, "three" is given a "real" meaning. Besides, Christianity has a theory of "three in one". Maybe just due to the "three in one" theory, "three" gets the meaning of "mess".
Surely, there are some common aspects for Chinese and English numerical phases' cultural connotations.
They can express virtual meanings by real facts. For example, Chinese ones: five lakes and four oceans, one hair from nine cattle, survival from nine times deaths, perfect; English ones: one and all, nine day's wonder, ten to one, three sheets in the wind.
Affected by ancient culture and tradition, both Chinese and English numerical phases prefer to use numerical phases represent people or thing. For example, Chinese ones: errenzhuan (song-and-dance), three stages (trilogy), fourth tone, four diagnoses, three principles, three religions and nine schools of thought, four lakes, five mountains, six directions; English ones: eight fold way, seven-thirds rule, two old cat, seven seas.
Both Chinese and English numerical phases embody nations' numerical worship awareness. For example, in Chinese, numerical phases with "seven" or "nine" are deific. "Saving a life is better than building a seven-win Buddha." "Ten" indicates perfect.

Conclusion
Although there are some common elements in Chinese and English numerical phases, studies show that the differences are more prominent. Therefore, as we learn to use these numerical phases, we should give full attention to their different cultural connotations, ensuring the successful cultural communication between English and Chinese, reducing and avoiding misunderstanding in cross-communication, and improving the communication quality.