Cross-cultural paremiology:
Chinese proverbs and sayings in Chinese English language mass media

The paper considers the issues of status and identity of Chinese proverbs in English language
discourse and the questions of the cross-cultural pragmatics of Chinese proverb quotations in the
communication of China with the rest of the world through Chinese English-language mass
media.
We have studied more than 400 fragments which contained Chinese proverbs from Chinese
media sources in English (2011–2015): The Xinhua, The China Daily, The Global Times, The
People’s Daily. For the research, we selected 62 different Chinese proverbs, with all of them being
used when dealing with international events and international relations.
Our study of Chinese proverbs in the English-language media of China (originally issued in
English, or translated into English) focuses on the assumption of the intentional and purposeful
use of native Chinese proverbs for foreign (non-Chinese) English-speaking audience. We assume
Chinese mass media in English language to be a kind of cross-cultural communication, in which
proverbs pragmatically serve as messages of China’s views to the rest of the world. Chinese proverbs
in use, especially in cross-cultural communication are still rare cases in Chinese proverb
studies. Though Chinese proverbs have recently gained much popularity in communication
in languages other than Chinese, they have not been sufficiently explored in cross-cultural research.
However, cross-cultural interaction is extremely sensitive to (un)successful proverb quotations
and their (in)adequate comprehension, calling for all-round problem-focused research. The research proved that for pragmatic purpose, the Chinese media cited Chinese proverbs
in English in an intelligible and clear form. The English language makes the high context communication
of China meet the requirements of low context communication, dictating the forms
of Chinese proverb quotation: English equivalent, close correspondence, fable interpretation
or translation.
The analysis made it clear that pragmatic intentions of Chinese media on international relations
were realized by Chinese proverbs focused on either positive values or «anti-values». Antivalues
in proverbs were actualized as a part of conflict resolution or conflict management strategy
and may be viewed from cross-cultural pragmatics as a warning or advice.
It was found out that Chinese proverbs focused on anti-values were more diverse (39 out
of 62 which is 63 %) than those with positive values. But Chinese proverbs with positive values
were more frequent. Greater diversity of Chinese proverbs focused on anti-values can be explained
by diversity of causes of international debates and contradictions, each of them being
unique.