English Bible Etymology

Author: Yang Youfang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Every language has its unique idioms and proverbs, which are the essence accumulated through long-term use and development of that language. They possess strong expressive and metaphorical power. If expressed in ordinary language, it might take a long-winded explanation to make the point clear, and the literary charm of the idiom or proverb itself would be lost, leading to a counterproductive outcome. Chinese has a rich variety of idioms and proverbs, forming a valuable literary heritage. English is no different. If one has a certain understanding of English idioms and proverbs, it can enrich one's English knowledge, enhance English expressive ability, and improve English listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation skills. A portion of English idioms and proverbs originates from Greek mythology and Roman legends, but a significant portion comes from the Bible. This is because the Bible has been intricately linked with Western social structures and daily life for millennia. Over the centuries, Christian civilization has been integrated into Western social institutions, family life, and customs. As Professor Samuel Huntington of the United States has said: Western civilization is Christian civilization. It is customary to follow established norms. The compilation of this dictionary is based on the perspective of language learning, introducing English idioms and proverbs derived from the Bible to readers, with the hope of aiding in English learning.