Linguistic Characteristics and Cultural Connotations of Engl(5)

In general, English and Chinese shop names are classified into three groups:

5.1 Local Features and Pastoral Life

Some Chinese shop names carry with them distinct local features, such as Xi Bei Jiao Zi Cheng (a dumpling restaurant in Northwest), Yi Meng Xiao Chi (a snack shop in Yi Meng District), Shan Xian Yang Rou Tang (a mutton soup shop in Shan County), Tai Wan Chan Zui Ya (Tai Wan’s famous gluttonous duck), De Zhou Pa Ji Dian (De Zhou, a small city in Shan Dong Province, is famous for “Pa Ji”, a sort of chicken), and Wei Shan Hu Yu Guan (a fish restaurant, Wei Shan Hu is abundant with fish).

Similarly, English shop names are also trying to work on the theme--embracing nature. The instances as follows will clearly illustrate that Chinese and Western cultures are alike in this respect: Kentucky Fried Chicken, Monroe Hardware, Carolina Waterbeds, Home Depot, Taco Bell, Bob’s Big Boy, Red Roof Inn, Broadway Furniture, Log Cabin Inn, Old Country Buffet, Pizza Hut, Cliff House, Old Country Buffet, Somerfield, Sand Lane Hotel, Pizza Hut, Bun and Burger Chain, Old Spaghetti, Country Kitchen, Bloomingdale’s, Ming Village, Time for You and so on.

5.2 Symbolic Meaning of Plants

The names of plants, especially those of flowers, grass and trees are often taken as shop names. It’s quite simple to justify this phenomenon. Some plants in Chinese culture are symbols of beauty that everybody admires. For example: Orchid Tang (orchid stands for nobility), Red Peony Mall (Peony for sumptuousness), Red Bean Clothing (Red Bean for missing), Pine Hotel (Pine for strong will), Rose Singing Hall (Rose for love). [6]

You can also find some plants with special symbolic meanings in English shop names, like Rose Garden (a restaurant, rose for love), Lily Hotel (lily for purity), Daffodil (a lady’s clothing shop; daffodil symbolizes spring and happiness in England). [7]

5.3 Animals’ Names for Consumers’ Associations

The animal names in Chinese shop names are often modified by another word to constitute a disyllabic one. For example, Golden Horse Hotel, Spring Swallow Restaurant, Silver Elephant Clothing, and Soaring Eagle Hardware Store. In addition, some shop names are only animal names without any modifier, like Lark Acoustics Store, Five Wolves Clothing Store, Woodpecker Clothing Store, Crocodile Clothing Store and so on. Some shops are named with the legendary “dragon” and “phoenix” to show nobility, like Golden Phoenix Clothing Store, Dragon and Phoenix Wedding Gift Shop and so on.

Westerners take a fancy to animals, so shops with animals’ names just cater to such an animal-loving mind. Such animals as small busy bees, majestic and brave King Lion, arrogant and holy eagle, loyal dogs and powerful bears are all people’s favorites. For example, Bee-Rite (a convenient store), Lion’s Share (a restaurant), Bear’s Larir Food Fair (a food store), Army Eagle (a material store), Man’s Best Friend (a pets’ shop), Bird Hut (a pets’ shop), Happy Bear’s Kitchen Center, Red Lobster (a sea food store), Red Lion Inn and so on. The animals’ names in the shop names will surely bring benefits for business.

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