Search

A Cultural Linguistic Study on the Transliteration of Miao Toponyms in Xiangxi

Author(s)

Hui Shi

Affiliation(s)

College of Foreign Languages, Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, China

Abstract

Drawing on the theoretical framework of cultural linguistics, this study investigates the transliteration of Miao toponyms in Xiangxi into Chinese. Taking transliteration texts as the primary corpus, the research focuses on six major naming elements—animals, plants, cultural legends, surnames, climate, and production tools to analyze the cultural linguistic characteristics embedded in these transcriptions. The findings reveal that the transliteration of Miao toponyms into Chinese exhibits four salient features: continuity of linguistic form, cultural cognitive mapping, cultural meaning obscuration, and the necessity for cultural compensation. In response to these characteristics, the study proposes a cultural compensation pathway through four main strategies: implementing annotation mechanisms, enriching local gazetteer records, and compiling authoritative bilingual dictionaries. These measures aim to establish an integrated mechanism that organically links linguistic symbols with cultural cognitive systems, thereby enabling mutual reinforcement between the linguistic forms and cultural connotations of Miao toponyms. The research offers practical value for the preservation and transmission of Miao cultural heritage, while also contributing theoretical insights to the fields of cross-cultural toponym studies, ethnolinguistic semiotics, and cultural linguistics.

Keywords

Cultural linguistics; Classification of Miao Toponyms; Transliteration Features; Pathways of Cultural Compensation

References

[1] Sharifian F. Cultural Conceptualisations and Language: Theoretical Framework and Applications. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2011. [2] Sharifian F. Cultural Linguistics: Cultural Conceptualisations and Language. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2017. [3] Goddard C, Wierzbicka A. Words and Meanings: Lexical Semantics across Domains, Languages, and Cultures. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. [4] Bennardo G. Language, Space, and Social Relationships: A Foundational Cultural Model in Polynesia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009. [5] Reif M, Polzenhagen F, eds. Cultural Linguistics and Critical Discourse Studies. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins, 2023. [6] Boieblan M. Grounded cognition and the role of musical expertise in shaping synesthetic metaphors among a music speech community. International Journal of Language and Culture, 2024, 11(2): 180–210. [7] Reif M, Schröder U, de Oliveira M M, Tenuta A M. Metaphorical conceptualizations: (Inter)cultural perspectives. International Journal of Language and Culture, 2022, 10(2): 296–299. [8] Elyamany N, Hamed M. S. M. Metaphtonymy and semio-cognitive de-legitimation of Donald Trump in the meme discourse of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (January 2016–December 2019). International Journal of Language and Culture, 2024, 11(1): 123–152. [9] Zhao Renjie, Zhang Yuexin. A Study on the Creation of Art Songs Based on Classical Chinese Poetry from a Cultural Linguistics Perspective: Taking Three Works by Li Yinghai as Examples. Comedy World (Second Half of the Month), 2023-04-20. [10] Shi Hehua. A Comparative Study of Chinese and Japanese Metaphorical Lexicon from a Cultural Linguistics Perspective: Focusing on Animal Morphemes. Chinese Character Culture, 2023-02-25. [11] Liu Yutang, Li Yanqiong. Research, Protection, and Development of Toponymic Cultural Heritage from a Cultural Linguistics Perspective. Theoretical Monthly, 2023-01-10(18). [12] Lü Yiran. A Study on Conversational Implicature Theory from a Cultural Linguistics Perspective: Taking the Novel Fortress Besieged as an Example. Chinese Character Culture, 2022-05-25(1595). [13] Cao Dongya. A Preliminary Study on the Influence of Chinese Character Culture on Lao Learners from a Cultural Linguistics Perspective: Based on Sino-Lao Online Language Companion Practice. Chinese Character Culture, 2022-09-09(1).