Works Cited 17

1。 Introduction 

As the old Chinese saying goes, “To the people foodstuff is all-important”, which points out the indispensable significance of food to human beings, people in any country are no exception。 However, due to differences of location, environment, life condition, social customs and habits and values, so cuisine culture of East and West are respectively different。 Therefore, when making translation about cuisine culture, the translator should not only use various translation techniques and methods flexibly, but also understand the cultural differences between different countries and nations。 Otherwise, the meaning of words could not be conveyed, but counterproductive, resulting in misunderstanding and cultural barriers。 

     Chinese cuisine culture is an important part of China's long history and culture, part of the ancient cultural heritage, which is world-known and has great influences in the world。 In recent years, with the further deepening of reform and opening up, China accelerates exchanges and contacts with other countries and has much more appeal for people from other countries along with its increasingly rising international status and better image overseas。 More and more foreigners desire to come to China to enjoy its beautiful landscape, splendid culture and delicious Chinese food, which is beneficial to further spread the Chinese cuisine culture。 But at the same time, how to translate Chinese dishes accurately and properly is given to prominent position。 Chinese dish names are the most intuitive window of Chinese-featured culture。 Therefore, how to make foreigners know what food is eaten, cooking methods and deep cultural meaning involved, meanwhile, enjoying exquisite taste of food and unique charm of Chinese cuisine culture is not an easy thing。 So it’s a high requirement for English learners and translators to provide accurate translations of dish names and make foreigners understand the implied Chinese culture。 This paper attempts to make some simple analysis on differences between Chinese and Western cuisine, on this basis, to explore and conclude some translation strategies according to the exiting problems in English translation of Chinese dish names。   

2。 Literature Review

2。1 Differences of cuisine culture between China and the West

     Refer to the differences of cuisine culture between China and the West, different scholars have different perspectives。 Liu Lixin and Wang Dong (2007) set forth the differences of diet concept that Chinese pursue of people is kind of artistic conception which cannot be described by words。 Chinese consider cooking as an art and treat eat as spiritual enjoyment but not just a way to survive。 While people in the West adhere to the practical use of food all along and also start from the nutrition and science。 Bian Haoyu and Gao Yongchen (2004) indicate banquet etiquette differences that Chinese are people of perse time concept and often be late for the party, on the contrary, Westerners often attend dinner on time with a concept of single time。 Except time, the use of tableware is distinct from one to another。 Chinese are accustomed to use chopsticks but people in English-speaking countries are used to knife and fork。 Besides, ideas of seating arrangement are different。 There is a traditional feudal thought of “men are superior to women”, so women cannot find in the formal banquet in ancient China。 However, Westerners advocate sexual equality and lady first。 Wang Qingnan (2006) discusses the agricultural structure that Chinese cuisine culture is rooted in agricultural economy。 It is a cultural system established on traditional agricultural production that plant material is the main part and poultry livestock raw material come next。 In contrast, the West is a mixed structure of farming and animal husbandry, in the ancient times, livestock husbandry is well developed。