摘 要：本文以德国功能主义目的论为依据，运用了举例分析法指出了现今社会上广泛存在的中式菜名英译的混乱问题以及原因，分析了中式菜肴的命名特点，最后结合具体的菜名分类重点探讨了中式菜名的有效翻译方法。然而在介绍中式菜肴时常常因为语言翻译不当和翻译内容不完整导致误解，所以对中式菜肴的研究有利于中国文化的推广传播。

关键词：目的论；中式菜肴；英译方法

Abstract：At the basis of German Functionalist Skopos theory, this paper pointed out confusing translation problems of Chinese dishes’ names and their reasons widely exist in current society, analyzed characteristics of Chinese dishes’ names through the example analysis method. The author explored effective methods for the translation of Chinese dishes’ names according to specific categories of Skopos theory. However, through the introduction of Chinese dishes often have misunderstandings because of improper language translation，Therefore, the study of Chinese dishes is conducive to the spread of Chinese culture.

Key words: Skopos theory; Chinese dishes; English translation strategies

Contents

摘 要i

Abstract.ii

I. Introduction.1

II. The Overview of Skopos Theory...2

 2.1The Origin and Development of Skopos Theory.2

 2.2The Application of Skopos Theory in Translation..4

III. Translation Problems and Corresponding Reasons of Chinese

Dishes...5

 3.1 Translation Problems of Chinese Dishes.5

 3.2 The Causes of Translation Problems of Chinese Dishes.6

IV. The Translation of Chinese Dishes Under Skopos theory7

 4.1 The Translation Principles of Chinese Dishes.7

4.1.1 Fidelity Principle7

  4.1.2 Concise and Coherent Principle.8

  4.1.3 Supplementary Principles...8

 4.2 The Translation Methods of Chinese Dishes8

4.2.1 Literal Translation..8

4.2.2 Free Translation...10

  4.2.3 The Cultivation of Cross-cultural Awareness...14

V. Conclusion.15

Bibliography..17

Acknowledgements..18

A Study on the Strategies of English Translation of Chinese Dishes from the Perspective of the Skopos Theory

I. Introduction

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and Guangzhou Asian Games in China provided more opportunities to show the charm of 5000 years’ Chinese civilization to the world. The upcoming 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics is also a very important opportunity for exchanges between China and foreign countries. As a historical and cultural treasure, Chinese diet culture is famous overseas and popular among foreign guests. However, the introduction of Chinese dishes often leads to misunderstanding and even spawns ironic jokes because of inappropriate and incomplete translation, which have a serious impact on the spread of Chinese culture. Such as China’s tofu is the transliteration in English. With wide exchange of diet culture, the defects transliteration of exposed. The Cable News Network introduced some terrible mistakes in the translation of advertising, brand and names of Chinese dishes in “Misinterpreted Translations”. Such as the “童子鸡” translated into “chicken without sexual life”. A luxury hotel in Beijing translated the “夫妻肺片” into “lung slices of Husband and wife ”. It was creepy. There is another typical case of literal translation, which “红烧狮子头” was translated into “Red Burned Lion Head”. It is said that many foreign dinners were frightened by these dishes names. According to the foreign habits, “红烧狮子头” should be translated as “Braised Pork Balls in Soy Sauce”.

The Chinese dishes’ names concentrate on Chinese cooking skills and local characteristics, which reflect China’s long history and colorful diet culture. Some dishes tend to pursue a kind of poetic beauty, and some contain meaningful historical stories and folk legends, for example, “Assorted meat and vegetables cooked in embers”, “Happy Family-a combination of shrimps, pork, beef, chicken and mixed vegetables with brown sauce” and “Turtle and chicken meat”. These names have changed the usual naming methods with raw materials, processed shapes and cooking methods and have rich cultural connotations. In addition, there are differences in diet and ways of thinking between China and western countries, which make the Chinese dishes translation more complicated.