2。4 Language Functions of Chinese Menu文献综述

     Generally, we use language to exchange our information and to establish the relationship。 If the symbol is abstract or specific, the language can be represented by different forms of code。 Languages can also create some signals which can transfer information from different locations。 The relationship between subjective and objective world can also be described in language。 The function of language is perse, it can also build the relationship between people and organize the necessary information。 There are four functions that language has in Chinese menu,representative function, informative function vocative function and aesthetic function。

Representative function is the most basic function in the naming of Chinese dishes。 Because in the Chinese menu, language can be used to represent some specific things, so we can come up with a way to translate the Chinese menu。 When the menu contains ingredients, cooking methods, or other times, we could name the dish with the main materials and the cooking method。 For example, braise in soy sauce meat,fried rice with eggs and so on。

The second one is informative function。 As we all know, the language is very pale, so it is often difficult for us to express something outside the language。 The things outside the language include the internal facts and the external circumstances。 In this case, the translation of Chinese menu is difficult to be faithfuls, expressive and elegant。 Many Chinese food names are abstract and aesthetic and here is no food or cooking method is contained in the name of these dishes。 However, this type of dish usually has some allusions or some fables in it。 For example, the bridge noodle（过桥米线）, Dong Po pork（东坡肉）。

The third function is vocative function。 Vocative function can guide the readers to record their thoughts and feelings in a textual manner。 In the translation of the Chinese menu, vocative function can try to make the customers be interested in the dish and advertise the dish through customers。 For example, vermicelli with spicy minced pork （蚂蚁上树）, steamed Chicken with Chili Sauce（口水鸡）, large meatball（狮子头）, fried chop rice cake（驴打滚）。

The last function is aesthetic function。 The meaning of Chinese characters and profound。 We can create different artistic conceptions according to the Chinese character’s descriptions to color, flavor, shape and numbers。 Because the Chinese characters and its food culture are very special, so we can also show the atmosphere of prosperity through the Chinese characters。 There are some colors and numbers which are very popular among Chinese people。 For example, in Chinese’s mind, red represents jubilation and yellow represents grace。 In this case, some foods’ name will contain some colors and numbers like golden bean curd（黄金豆腐）, four-joy meatballs（四喜丸子）, eight-treasure rice pudding（八宝饭）