Abstract

The long-lasting and abundant Chinese culture has nurtured the Chinese descendants who are hard-working and intelligent. As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, Chinese food culture attracts large numbers of researchers and gourmets. Thus, how to translate Chinese menu into English correctly plays an important role in the diffusion of Chinese culture and helping people around the world better communicate
Firstly, this paper analyzes the existing problems in translation and the main reasons. Then, under the guidance of Skopos Theory, several practical methods of translation are illustrated with abundant example so to offer some help to the transmission of Chinese food culture.

Keywords:  Skopos Theory   Chinese menu   translation method

摘要

中华文化悠久而丰富，哺育了辛勤聪慧的炎黄子孙。中国饮食文化作为中国传统文化的重要组成部分，更是吸引了众多美食家和研究者的目光。因此，如何把中式菜名翻译成准确、易懂的译文，对促进中国文化的传播和各国人民之间的交流具有重要的意义。
本文首先分析了中式菜名英译中存在的问题和原因，然后以目的论为指导，运用大量实例探讨了中式菜名翻译的几种实用方法，旨在为中国饮食文化的传播提供一定借鉴。

关键词: 目的论；中式菜名；翻译方法

1.1 Background and Significance of the Research
In 1978, China made a decision to carry out the policy of reform and from then on, the tourist industry became more and more popular in our country. The flourish industry not only stimulates the development of China’s national economy but also enriches people’s life. With the development of tourism, many Chinese people go abroad and meanwhile more and more foreigners can personally step on this land to enjoy its beautiful scenery and varied culture.
As is known to all, Chinese food enjoys the highest reputation in the world. Foreigners are often attracted by the colors, forms and designs of Chinese food as well as their delicious taste and poetic names. As China is well known for its unique culture and long history, Chinese menu usually contain specific culture and history more or less which bring more difficulties to the translation. Therefore the translation of Chinese menu is highly worthy of being studied.
However, there have been only a few articles and researches that specially deal with the translation of Chinese menu and some of the current translations are low-quality versions which may probably lead to misunderstanding. Thus, a systematic and theoretical study on this issue is in urgent need.