中西方饮食文化差异下中国菜名的英译策略_英语论文

On the Translation of Chinese Dish Names into English based on the Differences between Chinese and Western Cuisine Culture 

摘要

当前全球化正酣，中外交流变得日益频繁，世界各国人民对中国饮食文化的兴趣也变得愈发浓厚，这也使中国文化走向国际，因此，中国菜名的英译变得越发重要。准确的中国菜名的英译，不仅能让外国友人品尝到中国的美味佳肴，也能使他们了解到中国菜的制作原料、烹饪方法、菜肴的色香味形及其丰富的历史文化内涵。然而，由于中西方长期以来生活环境、风俗习惯、价值观念不同，产生饮食文化差异，所以英译过程中，需要译者有选择性地采用直译、意译、音译等翻译方法。如此，中国菜名的译文才能得到外国友人的认可，同时，也有助于中国饮食文化的更好传播。

关键词：饮食文化差异；中国菜名；英译；翻译方法

Abstract

Currently the globalization is hot and the communication at home and abroad becomes increasingly frequent. Foreigners have keener interests in Chinese cuisine culture, which makes Chinese culture enhance the whole world. Therefore, the English translation of Chinese dish names is getting more and more important. If the translation is correct and suitable, the foreigner can not only enjoy the delicious Chinese food, but also understand the ingredients, cooking methods, shape and flavor of dishes. Moreover, dish names could illustrate abundant historical and cultural connotation behind. However, China and West countries have formed cuisine cultural differences due to their different living environment, customs, value concepts that have shaped for a long time. During the translation, the translator should use translation strategies flexibly such as literal translation, free translation, transliteration etc. Thus, the translation of Chinese dishes can gain foreigners’ recognition and also contribute to the better dissemination of Chinese cuisine culture.

Keywords: cuisine cultural differences; Chinese dish names; English translation;    translation strategies

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Literature Review 2

2.1 Differences of cuisine culture between China and the West 2

2.2 English translations methods of Chinese dish names 2

3. Different Characteristics of Cuisine Culture between Chinese and West 4

3.1 Concept of diet 4

3.2 Selection of raw material 5

3.3 Naming dishes 5

3.4 Cooking methods and cutting 7

4. Problems in English Translation of Chinese Dish Names 7

4.1 Multiple translations for one dish name 8

4.2 Queasy or odd renderings 8

4.3 Failure in conveying the cultural connotation in original dish names 9

4.4 Failure in expressing the necessary information about the dishes 10

5. Suggested Translation Strategies 10

5.1 Standardizing the English translation of Chinese dish name 11

5.2 Achieving international recognition 11

5.3 Preserving cultural characteristics 12

5.4 Conveying the information functions 13

5.5 Free translation 14

6. Conclusion 15

Works Cited 17