Abstract

With increasingly frequent contact between China and other countries, translation of Chinese dish names plays a more and more important role in catering industry and tourist industry, and it is also of great importance in spreading Chinese culture. Based on this understanding, this paper aims to research into the translation of Chinese dish names mainly through literature review and exemplification. After an exploration of the features of Chinese dish names and current problems with and causes for Chinese dish name translation, the paper makes use of the Skopos theory as the guiding principle and offers some solutions on how to solve the problems. It is found that the features of Chinese dish names are rich and varied: Some are simple and direct while others contain rhetoric devices; some are named after inventors and containers while others after stories and legends, pronunciation and numbers. However, there are many problems with current translations of Chinese dish names, including inadequate translation of dish names with special cultural meanings, different translations of the same dish name, and unpleasant connotations in the translations of some dish names. The causes of these problems may include lack of corresponding dishes, limited ability of the translators, inadequate research on Chinese dish names, and lack of standardization on the translation of Chinese dish names. To solve these problems, we need to understand the cultural differences, realize the importance of Chinese dish name translation and standardize Chinese dish name translation. Under the guidance of Skopos theory, we need keep the objectives of translation in mind, the main ones of which are to arouse the interest of foreign friends and spread Chinese cuisine culture. As to the methods of translation of specific Chinese dish names, we may exploit such methods as literal translation, free translation, transliteration, and adaption, either separately or in combination. 

Key words: Chinese dish names; features; problems; Skopos theory; methods

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1 Introduction-1

1.1 Research background-1

1.2 Literature review-2

1.2.1 The features of the naming of Chinese dishes-2

1.2.2 On the problems of Chinese dish translation-3

1.2.3 On the methods of Chinese dish translation-3

2 Features of Chinese dish names-3

2.1 Linguistic features of Chinese dish names-4

2.1.1 Simplicity and directness-4

2.1.2 Ingenious usage of rhetoric devices-4

2.2 Abundant information in Chinese dish names-4

2.2.1 Dishes named after the inventor or container of the dish-4

2.2.2 Dishes named after poems, legends, interesting stories or 

auspicious things.-5

2.2.3 Dishes named after number or pronunciation-5

3 Status quo of Chinese dish name translation-6

3.1 Problems in Chinese dish name translation-6

3.1.1 Inadequate translation of dish names with special cultural meanings-6

3.1.2 Different translations of the same dish name-6

3.1.3 Unpleasant connotations in the translations of dish names-7

3.2 Causes of the problems-7

3.2.1 Lack of corresponding dishes-7

3.2.2 Limited ability of the translator-8

3.2.3 Inadequate research on Chinese dish names-8

3.2.4 Lack of standardization on the translation of Chinese dish names-8

3.3 Solutions to improve the current situation-9

3.3.1 Understanding cultural differences-9

3.3.2 Realizing the importance of dish name translation-9

3.3.3 Standardizing the translation of Chinese dish names-9

4 Skopos theory and its implication to translation of Chinese dish names.9 

4.1.1 A definition of Skopos theory -10

4.1.2 The major principles for translation in Skopos theory-11

4.2 Implications of Skopos theory for translating Chinese dishes names-12

 5 Methods in Chinese dish name translation-12

5.1 Literal translation-13

5.2 Free translation-14

5.3 Transliteration-15

5.4 Adaption-16

6 Conclusion-17

References..19