Ever wondered how something as simple as soil color can spark a conversation about cultural nuances? During a discussion on the challenges of translating Chinese classics like "The Analects of Confucius" and "Tao Te Ching," Icelandic Sinologist Ragnar Baldursson shared an eye-opening moment from his time on the Chinese mainland.
Baldursson described the soil as light brown—a hue that mirrors the soft tones of Icelandic earth—while his Chinese classmate saw it as yellow. In the Chinese color system, brown often falls under the spectrum of yellow or other descriptive terms, revealing a fascinating difference in how cultures perceive color.
This insightful exchange reminds us that our cultural background shapes even the simplest details of everyday life. The next time you look at the ground beneath your feet, remember it might just be telling you a story of heritage and history! 🎨✨
Reference(s):
The color of earth: A story of how culture 'colors' perception
cgtn.com
