论中文菜名的英语翻译_英语论文

On the Translation of Chinese Dish Names

摘要

随着中国与其他国家交流越来越密切，中文菜名的翻译在餐饮行业以及旅游行业扮演着越来越重要的角色，同时这也对传播中国文化有着重要的意义。基于这种理解，本文拟对中文菜名的翻译进行研究，分析方法主要采用文献法和举例法。在对中国菜名特征、翻译中的问题及原因进行分析后，本文以目的论为指导，针对如何处理这些问题提出解决方法。本研究发现：中文菜名特点丰富而多样。有的简单而直接，而有的包含各种修辞。有的以发明者或容器命名，有的以故事或传说命名，还有的以发音和数字命名。但是，中文菜名的翻译存在着很多问题，包括对于具有文化意义的菜名翻译不准确、同一道菜却有着多种不同的翻译版本、有些菜名的翻译甚至让外国人感到反感。产生这些问题的原因包括中西方缺乏对应菜肴、译者能力有限、对菜名翻译的研究不够、中文菜名翻译缺乏规范等。要解决这些问题，我们必须了解文化差异，认识菜名翻译的重要性，并规范中文菜名翻译。在目的论的指导下，我们需要谨记中文菜名翻译的目的，即菜名翻译应吸引外国朋友的兴趣并传播中国文化。在具体菜名的翻译中，我们既可以单独采用直译、意译、音译、改译等方法，也可以同时采用几种方法。

关键词：中餐菜名；特征；问题；目的论；翻译方法

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

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