Colour Systems in English in Comparison with Czech

Mgr. Eva Klepárníková

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

In my thesis, I am trying to prove that there are certain differences in the perception of colours. I made a survey among the English native speakers and Czech native speakers. According to the results I studied the differences between English and Czech colour systems and differences in perception of certain colours. I also focused on the influence of the English colour names on the Czech colour names. I would like to prove that the way we speak influences the way we can perceive colours. The difference in the number of basic colours, colour naming and in the use of colour names varies according to a mother language and is of course influenced by many factors like the geographical and cultural background. In my thesis, I am describing these differences and influences. Lot of researches were already made in this field, therefore I am also presenting the results of some of these researches.

Keywords

Colour systems, Saphir-Whorf hypothesis, colours, Berlin &, Kay, perception of colours, differences in colour naming, basic colours

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 2. 6. 2008

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 5. 6. 2008
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Naděžda Kudrnáčová, CSc.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Arts

Bachelor programme / field:
Philology / English Language and Literature