read between the lines?

Question

What is the meaning of reading between the linesin chinese?

Answer 1

It means "to infer". In literary texts, we have to infer what is meant by figures of speech, such as metaphor ( "the roses in her cheek" stands for "her rosy cheeks"), and allusions (such as the biblical allusions in Shakespeare, that is, references to biblical figures). In propagandas and cartoons (www.double meaning), we have to infer meanings that are deliberately ambiguous. Even in speech, we do have to understand what has been left unsaid. For example, at the end of a dinner party, when the hosts say, "it´s getting late", what they mean is that they want you to leave because they are tired.

As far as the Chinese (and also the Japanese), more important than what they say is left unsaid because, as they say, "words are silver; silence is gold". Also, as far as communication goes, there is a big difference between the way they (Easterners) and the way we (Westerners) communicate. In Western cultures, words are "golden" and "silence" is much less than "silvery". Silence is actually something to be avoided because it makes people feel uncomfortable (or uneasy). Therefore, in Western cultures, "direct speech" prevails. In Eastern cultures, on the other hand, what prevails is "indirect speech", that is, Easterners don´t actually say it; they simply "imply".

Answer 2

I don't know Chinese, but in English it means to understand the real meaning of something a person says or writes even though you are not given details.

Example: Linda tried to be cheerful and said she was okay, but reading between the lines, I could see she was really upset.