Abstract: The culture of each country has its peculiarity, which is embodied in the aspect of vocabulary in languages. As a result, the phenomenon of Lexical Semantic Vacancy directed by cultural diversity can be seen everywhere. The paper first describes this phenomenon briefly. As this phenomenon has been studied broadly, the writer will make a further discussion on the classification and the forming reasons of Lexical Semantic Vacancy on the basis of former researches. It aims to clarify the phenomenon of Lexical Semantic Vacancy fully, to remove the communicating barriers caused by Lexical Semantic Vacancy and to set up the bridge of communication between countries around the world.

Key words: culture; cultural differences; lexical semantic vacancy; semantic; intercultural communication

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1.Introduction..1

2.Literature Review.2

2.1Previous Overseas Studies

2.2Previous Domestic Studies

3.Lexical Semantic Vacancy3

3.1Definition of Lexical Semantic Vacancy

3.2Classification of Lexical Semantic Vacancy

3.2.1 Lexical Semantic Vacancy Caused by Basic Meaning

3.2.2Lexical Semantic Vacancy Caused by Connotative Meaning

3.2.2.1 Semantic Vacancy Caused by Different Connotative Meaning

3.2.2.2 Semantic Vacancy Caused by Identical Connotative Meaning

3.2.2.3Semantic Vacancy Caused by Non-correspondent Connotative Meaning

4.Causes of Lexical Semantic Vacancy...6

4.1Material Culture

4.1.1Living Habits

4.1.1.1Dress

4.1.1.2Food

4.1.1.3Building

4.1.1.4Transportation

4.1.2Weather

4.1.3Geography

4.2Intangible Culture

4.2.1Custom

4.2.2Society, Economy and Politics

4.2.3Values

4.2.4History

4.2.5Religion

4.2.6World View

5.Conclusion.11

Bibliography12

Acknowledgements.13