Abstract:This paper analyzes the differences between Chinese and Western food cultures and studies the English translation of Chinese dish names with A Bite of China. On the basis of diet cultural difference as the breakthrough point, I analyze the differences of diet culture and approaches to the translation of Chinese dishes, and further develop English translation of Chinese dish names in depth and breadth and hope to find the more feasible translation methods to further unify and standardize the ways so as to achieve better service to foreign diet culture exchange and spread of the Chinese outstanding food culture.

Key words: culture differences; Chinese dish name; translation

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review.2

3. Food Cultures Differences between China and the West.2

  3.1 Different Diet Concepts

  3.2 Different Ingredients

  3.3 Different Eating Styles

  3.4 Different Cooking Methods

  3.5 Different Dish Naming Methods

4. Principles to the Translation of Chinese Dishes.5

  4.1 Skopos Rule

  4.2 Coherence Rule

  4.3 Fidelity Rule

  4.4 Loyalty Principle

5.Approaches to the Translation of Chinese Dishes.7

  5.1 Literal Translation

     5.1.1 Main Materials 

     5.1.2 Main Seasonings

     5.1.3 Main Shapes or Flavors

     5.1.4 Main Cooking Methods

  5.2 Liberal Translation

     5.2.1 Culture Taboos

     5.2.2 Legends or Folklores

     5.2.3 Rhetoric Characteristics 

  5.3 Transliteration

     5.3.1 Chinese Pronunciation

     5.3.2 Famous Persons or Places

     5.3.4 Creative Translation

6. Conclusion13

Bibliography.15

Acknowledgements16