Abstract:
This study is to compare and contrast Chinese and Thai idiomatic expressions conveying the meaning of speech to see similarities and differences regarding the use of analogy in both languages. This study has found that many idiomatic expressions conveying the meaning of speech in Chinese and Thai share certain similarities in their use of analogy. For example, water is used in both languages to convey the sense of speech fluency However, there are also cases that the same analogy conveys completely different Meanings in both languages. For example, water in Chinese idiomatic expressions may be used to convey the sense of slander or boasting. In contrast we do not find such meanings related to the use of water in Thai. This study of Chinese and Thai idiomatic expressions through analogy also shows how similarities as well as differences are interpreted, perceived and understood in their respective languages and cultures. It also helps understand the subtle semantic differences of similar idiomatic expressions in both languages.