1、河 北 科 技 大 学毕 业 论 文学生姓名： 张江燕 学 号：083101019 学 院： 长安学院 专 业： 商务英语 题 目：On the Comparison of the Diet Culture between China and English Countries and Interpreting Chinese Dishes into English 指导教师： 张晓冬 评阅教师： 张晓冬 2010 年 11 月摘要中国悠久的历史，广袤的国土，与世界各国和海外文化的广泛接触，孕育了中国烹饪的独特艺术，而且中国饮食已经成为中国人民和世界上其他各国人民之间的纽带，并且成为让各国人民
2、了解中国文化的重要窗口。从古代起，食物就是生存的重要条件，与文化密切相关，国家不同饮食文化也不尽相同。饮食文化具有浓郁的民族性和多样性特点。例如，中国和英国是两个拥有不同历史和文化背景的国家，这两个国家的发展过程不同，因此，它们的饮食习惯和饮食方式存在很大差异。本文通过探讨中西方饮食文化的差异以及结合实例归纳总结中式菜肴名称的翻译方法和技巧，并就餐饮文化方面着重分析了中国与英美等西方国家在饮食观念，宴会礼仪，饮食方式等方面的跨文化差异，揭示了饮食文化差异对中餐菜名英译的影响。本文试图从分析中餐菜名的构成方式入手，对中国菜名进行了具体讨论，归纳总结了翻译中餐菜名的通用方法：直译法，拼音法和创始人
3、或发源地法。我们应尽最大努力用英语来翻译精炼文雅的中国菜名使它保持文化内涵，让外国进餐者能欣赏到中国的深刻的文化因素。最后通过中式菜名的翻译的事例来加以分析说明议员跨文化意识的重要性。关键词：饮食文化；中国菜名；翻译方法；英译AbstractChinas long history, vast territory and extensive contact with other nations and cultures have given birth to the distinctive Chinese culinary art. And Chinese cooking has become
4、a link between Chinese people and people from other countries and an important window for them to know Chinese culture. Since ancient times, food is the most important condition for survival, remains a close relation with culture and food culture varies with nations. For example, China and British a
5、re two countries with different historical and culture backgrounds; the two countries have different process. Therefore, the concepts of their diet culture and eating patterns are vastly different. This paper endeavors to analyze the cultural differences and their rooted causes in Chinese and Englis
6、h dietary cultures from the perspectives of concept, table courtesies and eating patterns and so on, try to explore the name-building of Chinese dishes and to conclude the commonly used translating methods, such as literal translations, Chinese poeticism and the name of creator or places. What we sh
7、ould do is trying our best to translate the refined and graceful cuisine names into English by keeping their original cultural connotations and helping foreign diners to appreciate the profound cultural contents. At last it emphasizes that the interpreters cultural awareness plays an important role
8、in the interpretation. Key Words: dietary culture; Chinese dishes; translation methods; C/EContents1. Introduction.12. The comparison of diet culture between Chinese and 22.1 The concept of two diets .22.2 Differences in table courtesies 42.3 The different ways of eating patterns72.4 Difference in t
9、he nature.83. Interpret Chinese dishes into English .93.1 The importance of cross culture awareness to the interpreter.93.2 Several kinds of methods of dish names translation104. Conclusion12Acknowledgements 13Bibliography.14On the comparison of diet culture between china and English and interpretin
10、g Chinese dishes into English11. Introduction China has rich food culture; English has exquisite and self system food civilization. The exchange as well as the combination of China and English food culture fill and color the universe civilization. With the rapid development of the Chinese economy, t
11、he international communication activities between China and foreign countries are becoming more and more popular. Making friends during banquet is a kind of common form of communication. Its a good way to show ones love and friendship to others, help to create a harmonious cooperation atmosphere bet
12、ween business partners to publicize the Chinese dietary culture. Nowadays, besides Chinese traditional nosh, Britain-style food has been here and there in China. Some good restaurants and cafeteria are the place that white collar get together. Western food has been brought into Chinese life. The Chi
13、nese people, who are well known for their hospitality both at home and abroad, should not miss such chance to introduce their various delicacies to foreign friends. We Chinese think food is very important to man. People often associate food with important holidays and the chance to meet distinguishe
14、d guests. The Chinese food is not only very delicious and tasty but also very pleasing to your senses and many dishes have very beautiful and fancy names. The Chinese have the food culture of our own which are quite different form westerners. On such occasions, the interpreter, as a bridge over peop
15、le from different countries, plays a tremendously important role in the process of their communication. However, in recent years, some interpreters are often misunderstood by foreign guests because of their lack of cross-culture awareness and their inability to translate some Chinese dish names corr
16、ectly. Meanwhile, we should take into consideration whether they are culturally acceptable to foreigners or not. In all, translators must be cautious in the practice of English translation of Chinese dishes names and apply correct translation methods. In this paper, try to analyze several difference
17、s of Chinese and English countries dietary cultures, probe into some Chinese dish names translation methods, so that the foreign diners can appreciate the profound cultural contents. On the comparison of diet culture between china and English and interpreting Chinese dishes into English22. The compa
18、rison of diet culture between Chinese and English countries Different countries have different dietary cultures. Chinese and English countries have some different views and attitudes toward diet and these differences might hinder interpreters from translating properly and make Chinese dietary cultur
19、e spread in a better way, what we should do is trying our best to translate the refined and graceful cuisine names into English by keeping their original cultural connotations. 2.1 The concept of two diets 2.1.1 Taste vs. nutrition The Chinese food attach important to the tastes of the diet. Chinese
20、 people attach importance to “eat”. The proverb “food supply” explains how we seen the diet with the day. On account of our nation for hundreds of thousands of years are at the low level of productivity, there were always many people who were hungry. Hence we have a unique eating culture that the fo
21、od put all the other things. Chinas cookery, the pursuit of delicious almost extreme, as well as Chinese people living abroad, all for the restaurant industry to live on and become a fundamental place we stand in the world! Unfortunately, when we put the pursuit of delicious as the first requirement
22、, we have neglected the most basic nutritional value of the food. A lot of our traditional foods go through fried and prolonged slow fire boiling hot, so the nutritional content of the food has been destroyed; many nutrients are lost in the course of this processing. There is a saying: “The food sup
23、ply of food flavor first”. We always take eat as a delicious pursuit of the primary objective. While in praise of food, love to say “color, flavor and beauty”. This diet sense also coincides with the traditional Chinese philosophy. Chinese philosophy as a representative of oriental philosophy, its d
24、istinguishing feature is the visual, vague and evasive. Chinese food is produced to reconcile the all materials and the ultimate goal is to reconcile out of a beautiful taste.On the comparison of diet culture between china and English and interpreting Chinese dishes into English3The English food is
25、a rational diet concept. English food regardless of the color of food, incense, flavor, and its shape of them but the nutrition must be assured because it is nourishing and they emphasize the intake of calories a day, vitamins, protein and so on. Even though tastes stereotyped of all, but do not sto
26、p because it is nutritious. This concept of eating is compatible with the whole English philosophy system. But in some other aspects, such as dietary culture, the English philosophy prevents it from developing. In celebration, we can be particular about tableware, the vegetables in the form of raw m
27、aterials, the color matching of food, and the service of the waiters. But no matter how luxurious grade, from Los Angeles to New York, the taste of the steak only have one, no a little art at all. As dishes, the chicken is only chicken; the steak is only steak, even if there is a matching in groups,
28、 which are also conducted in a shallow dish, in a game of” Yampa” side up potato mud, “Yampa” sits next to the other, allocation of cooking beans, plus a few tables of tomatoes and this is OK. The color matching is very clear, but the taste of separation of various materials, to reconcile, the entir
29、e flavor is simple and clear. So we can say the English cooking pay attention to the nutrition but ignoring the taste, at last not the primary purpose of taste enjoyment. English special emphasis the nutritional content of food, protein, fat, vitamins and appropriately mix of various inorganic eleme
30、nts in it, and whether the supply of calories to lose and whether these nutrients can fully absorb and if it have any other side effects.2.1.2 Sensibility vs. practicalityIn China, eating goes through a mans whole life. Diet has developed to a very important part in peoples life. It is almost beyond
31、 any other material and spiritual forms, and this has been apparently reflected in peoples daily life. The seven so-called basic daily needs: firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauces, vinegar, tea, all have deep relations to diet. When one was born, his parents would hold a birth celebration, later when he
32、 was one month old or one year old, the family would get together and have a party again, when growing up, and he would have birthday parties, wedding party and even funeral dinner held for him by his descendants when he passes away. When a visitor comes, he would prepare for the guest a formal dinn
33、er, which is called On the comparison of diet culture between china and English and interpreting Chinese dishes into English4welcome dinner, he would invite friends to have dinner together when he moves into a new house, is promoted in his company or in his company or has solved a serious problem. A
34、ll these show that people in China like eating with much emotions, for dinners have provided them lots of chances to show their love for friends, and exchange information. Even some commotional turmoil would be calmed down during the dinner time. Behind the form of eating, there are a profuse psycho
35、logical and cultural significance, as well as peoples recognition function, but has already transformed into an adjustment of social life and psychology.In English countries, eating is regarded as a way of communication and a necessary survival means. American psychologist Abraham Maslow divides hum
36、ans needs into five levels in his famous theory Law of Demand. Eating is classified into the first layer, which is the lowest level of human requirements. Lin Yutang, a famous Chinese anthropological scholar, once said, “The diet concepts of people from English countries are different from those of
37、the Chinese. They think that eating is just an act giving your body nutrients, like injecting fuel to a machine to ensure its normal operation. As long as they are healthy enough to resist diseases, they care little about other problems”. Therefore, in the minds of the English people, they regard ea
38、ting as just plays a life-sustaining role in their life. We can see clearly that the English people would not assign more important missions to eating, which has been done by the Chinese people for a long time. Westerners generally are not willing to cook in home. But in cooking dishes in second pos
39、ition is lubricious fragrance, from this aspect we can also see that westerners are more rational diet idea. They only as the diet fed a means. In the English countries formally, repast is eating, it also reflects that the westerners pay attention to individual, advocate the values of individualisms
40、.2.2 Differences in table courtesiesDifferent countries have different dietary cultures, the same as the table manners in China and English countries. Table manners seem to be especially important both in China and English countries. Different table courtesies have formed during On the comparison of
41、 diet culture between china and English and interpreting Chinese dishes into English5centuries because of different cultural backgrounds. An excellent interpreter always knows how to take advantages or such differences to make the interpreting process smoother. There are many differences in table co
42、urtesies.2.2.1 Chopsticks vs. rocksOn the tables, Chinese usually use chopsticks. Otherwise generally Chinese table manners are rather more informal, what would be considered rude in other cultures such as speaking with the mouth full may be acceptable but better not to do so. In China, chopsticks m
43、ust always be held in the correct manner. It should be held between the thumb and fingers of the right hand. Chopsticks are traditionally held in the right hand only, even sometimes by the left-handed. Although chopsticks may now be found in either hand, several still consider left-handed chopsticks
44、 use improper etiquette. One explanation for the treatment of such usage as improper is that this can symbolize argument, as the chopsticks may collide between the left-handed and right-handed users. When picking up a piece of food, never use the tips of your chopsticks to poke through the food as i
45、f you were using a fork. Exceptions include tearing larger items apart such as vegetables. In informal use, small, difficult to pick up items such as cherry tomatoes or fishbowls may be stabbed but this use is frowned upon by traditionalists. Since ancient times, the Chinese people have been forming
46、 on land, and nowadays the majority of the Chinese are still farmers. In such a cultural environment, people usually live on cereal-based food, tending to live and work in peace, stressing the preciousness of stability, opposing aggression and attacks.The English countries usually use fork on the ta
47、ble. Since has the western-style food to follow wests custom, do not have the offensive action, especially when the hand takes the knife and fork if dances with joy, “will be rude”. The knives and forks grasping must certainly be correct: should be the right hand arms with knife; the left hand takes
48、 the fork. Slivers with the knife food the scrap, then sends in the inside the mouth with the fork. Generally speaking, the European uses when the knife and fork does not trade the hand, has used the left hand to hold the fork to send in food the inside the mouth. After the food is cuts, the knife l
49、ies down; the right hand holds the fork to send in food in the mouth. But whenever, the knife cant deliver the entrance. On the comparison of diet culture between china and English and interpreting Chinese dishes into English6These two cultural preferences are almost contrast to each other. So what is reflected in the diet tends to be the choices of their table wares and their eating ways.2.2.2 Difference in eating custom and practiceIn China, the dishes are placed on the table and everybody shares. If you
