The concept FACE in the language picture of the world of the Chinese youth

This study aims to compile the list of phraseological units verbalizing the concept FACE in the language picture of the world of the Chinese youth and to determine the value of the concept for the Chinese nation at the present. The focus is made on chengyu (成语), proverbs (谚语) and sayings (俗语) containing the notion of “mianzi” 面 子 ‘face’ or other notions close to it. Using the method of linguistic interview with 77 subjects, the residents of China from 20 cities aged 16 to 25, the total of 86 examples were obtained. Further research was performed with a set of methods: inductive, descriptive and analytic using the techniques of classification and systematization. First, the obtained results showed the knowledge of phraseological units representing the concept FACE demonstrated by the Chinese youth. Second, three groups of examples were identified: 1) the ones containing the notion of “mianzi” 面子 ‘face, reputation’; 2) the ones containing the notion of “lian” 脸 ‘face, reputation’; 3) the ones that contain neither “mianzi” nor “lian” but whose meanings are close to both notions. The analysis demonstrates 1) the desire of the Chinese to ‘have face’ and not to ‘loose face’ since ‘having face’ gives respect of society, and ‘loosing face’ causes the sense of shame; 2) that only a shameless person does not need ‘face’. These findings prove the significance of this cultural and psychological phenomenon for the Chinese at the present.