Pentalogy for Translation Strategies of Chinese Diet with Local Characteristics

孙晓蕾

【Abstract】The culture of Chinese diet with a long history is extensive and profound.Its distinctive regionality shows different cultural tastes and connotations to people from all over the world.The cultural implication of Chinese diet with local characteristics has been passed down and promoted from generation to generation， receiving the attention and acclaim from foreign guests.The purpose as to make foreign people learn more about Chinese diet is in need of translators reasonable and appropriate translation.But the varied translated versions about Chinese diet with local characteristics revealed many inadequacies which are worth reflecting， studying， and putting forward more complete translation strategies.

【Key words】Chinese diet with local characteristics； translation； pentalogy

1.Introduction

With the speed of process of globalization， economic growth， and sustainable development， the Chinese cookery art is sure to be further improved （Zhu Qixin， 2005： 299）.With the increasing number of foreign guests travailing in China， the need for translating Chinese diet is becoming more urgent than ever before.The translation of Chinese diet with local characteristics is a part of pragmatic translation.It is a kind of utility-type translation for the purpose of conveying information and places emphasis on its conveying effect （Jia Wenbo， 2005： 1）.Researchers have endeavored to the translation of Chinese diet with local characteristics， however， many improprieties were found in different translated versions which led to foreigners laughter and misunderstandings.In the translation of Chinese diet with local characteristics， the principal problem is rough translating.It can cause the loss of cultural factors in Chinese diet.Thus， a thoroughgoing research should be given to further develop the culture of Chinese diet with local characteristics.

2.Problems in the Translation of Chinese Diet with Local Characteristics

2.1 Lack of Oneness

There has been an increasing number of translators trying to show their own translation about Chinese diet with local characteristics， however， the multifarious versions lead to coexistence of translation modes for the same dish.For instance：

回锅肉 has the translations of “Twice Cooked Pork”， “Twice Cooked Spicy Pork Slices”， “Double-fried Pork”.佛跳墙 of Min Cuisine was translated into “Buddha Jumps over the Wall”， “Fotiaoqiang”， “Steamed Abalone with Sharks Fin and Fish Maw”.白切鸡 of Yue Cuisine has the translations like “Baiqie Chicken”， “Sliced Chichen”， “The White Cuts A Chicken”.endprint

In this case， foreign people will misunderstand the different versions， for they may easily take them as different names of dishes.It is adverse to the realization of making foreigners understand the cultural connotation of Chinese diet and the popularization of Chinese dishes among diners from other countries.

2.2 Lack of Accuracy

Chinese diet with local characteristics is very exquisite in flavoring， cooking method， and even decorating.A lot of dishes posses extraordinary names for the purpose of showing cultural connotations， enhancing popularity， or arousing peoples interest.But word-for-word translation will go against the implied meaning and make foreigners feel puzzled.凤凰投林 that is in fact “Stir-fried Shredded Chicken with Chinese Chive” was translated into “The Phoenix Flies into the Woods”.The reason why its Chinese name uses “凤凰” instead of “鸡” is that “凤凰” is a symbol of good luck and can cause peoples curiosity.But such a word-for-word translation can not receive expected results， on the contrary， it will make foreign people feel that they are cheated （Li Jiayu， 2011： 173）.

2.3 Lack of Annotation

In most cases， the names of Chinese diet contain cultural connotations and good wishes.Provided that they are just freely or literally translated for the only purpose of making foreign guests understand the cooking materials， the foods lingering charm and connotations will be lost.For example， “A Combination of Shrimps， Pork， Beef， Chicken， Lobster and Mixed Vegetables with Brown Sauce （全家福）” sounds to be ordinary and lack of implied meanings.“Happy Family” will be a better translation than the former one， for it delivers good wishes to the diners， but such a name contains no information about its cooking materials.Under such circumstance， it is necessary for us to add annotation to the translation： Happy Family—a combination of shrimps， pork， beef， chicken， lobster and mixed vegetables with brown sauce.

3.Strategies in Translating Chinese Diet with Local Characteristics

3.1 Literal Translation

Literal translation refers to the translation that delivers the original meaning， pays attention to the original form， and is easily accepted by the target readers （Li Yashu & Huang Zhonglian， 2004： 21）.For the Chinese diet that is named mainly according to cooking materials and cooking methods， literal translation is a good choice.In light of Enjoy Culinary Delights： The English Translation of Chinese Menus， some examples are given：endprint

葱油鸡—Chicken with Scallion Sauce， 酱牛肉—Beef in Brown Sauce， 姜汁蛰皮—Jellyfish in Ginger Sauce， 皮蛋豆腐—Tofu with Preserved Eggs， 盐焗鸡—Salty-Baked Chicken， 糖醋里脊—Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin， 家常蛋汤—Home-Style Egg Soup， 海鲜酸辣汤—Hot and Sour Seafood， 上海春卷—Spring Rolls， Shanghai Style （Zhao Huimin， 2012）.

Because of the difference between Chinese and western culture， some materials in Chinese cooking are taboo in western culture， such as “脆皮乳鸽”.In western countries， pigeon is the emblem of peace， so eating pigeon is not accepted by western people.In this case， the name should not be translated.

3.2 Liberal Translation

In fact， not all Chinese dishes names are formed based on cooking materials and methods.Chinese diet also pursues elegance and connotation by way of using metaphor and imagination.It is always endued with special meaning， good luck， and sometimes best wishes， such as “如意酥”， “鸳鸯全鱼”， “锦绣糯米鸡”.If they are translated literally， the relevant information is likely to be mistakenly transmitted and makes foreign people feel confused.In order to make the readers of a translated text should be able to comprehend it to the point that they can conceive of how the original readers of the text must have understood and appreciated it （according to Nida）， wed better take liberal translation/ free translation into consideration.For example：

醉槽鸡—Chicken in Rice Wine， 四宝烤麸—Marinated Wheat Gluten with Peanuts and Black Fungus， 彩虹蒸豆腐—Steamed Tofu with Assorted Vegetables， 绿茶佛饼—Green Tea Pancake， 金银迷你馒头—Mini Steamed and Deep-Fried Mantou， 龙凤汤—Chicken and Crucian Carp Soup， 银丝卷—Steamed Rolls.

3.3 Literal Translation with Annotation

There are many names of dishes that can not reflect the cooking materials and methods through literal translating， while by way of liberal translating， the lingering charm and meaning will disappear.Literal translation with annotations will solve the problem.For instance， 狮子头 is translated into Lions head （Steamed Abalone with shark）； 全家福is translated into Happy Family （A Combination of Shrimps， Pork， Beef， Chicken， Lobster， and Mixed Vegetables with Brown Sauce）； 鱼香肉丝 is translated into Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork （Sautéed Shredded Pork with Spicy Garlic Sauce）； 回锅肉 is translated into Twice Cooked Pork Slices （Sautéed Sliced Pork with Pepper and Chili）.腊味合蒸 is translated into Steamed Mixed Preserved Meat （Cured meat is an important characteristics of Hunan Cuisine， with many kinds of ingredients such as pork， beef， chicken， fish， duck etc.， cured by air-drying or smoking）.endprint

The method of literal translation with annotation can deliver the implied information of the dish properly and remain its original elegance.

3.4 Transliteration

With the constant popularizing of Chinese culture， an increasing number of Chinese traditional food are widely accepted by people from other countries.On one hand， it helps spread Chinese among foreign people； on the other hand， it popularizes the culture of Chinese diet with local characteristics.So transliteration is acceptable in translating such kind of names of Chinese diet.For instance， Jiaozi （饺子）， Shaomai （烧麦）， Mantou （馒头）， Baozi （包子）， Huajuan （花卷）， Tofu （豆腐）， Hundun （馄饨）， Kung Pao Chicken （宫保鸡丁）.

3.5 Transliteration with Annotation

Some food remain the original names through transliteration just for the purpose of saving Chinese characteristics， while foreign diners can hardly get the cooking method and materials literally.Thus， annotation should be added.For example： 佛跳墙 Fotiaoqiang （Steamed Abalone with Sharks Fin and Fish Maw in Broth）， 驴打滚儿 Lǘdagun （Glutinous Rice Rolls Stuffed with Red Bean Paste）， 窝头 Wotou （Steamed Corn）， 油条 Youtiao （Deep-Fried Dough Sticks）， 豆汁儿 Douzhir （Fermented Bean Drink）， 锅贴 Guotie （Pan-Fried Dumplings）， 粽子 Zongzi （Glutinous Rice Wrapped in Bamboo Leaves）， 艾窝窝 Aiwowo （Steamed Rice Cakes with Sweet Stuffing）.

4.Conclusion

The paper collects the translations of Chinese diet from a great many books and newspapers for the purpose of finding out both the accurate and inaccurate translation versions， and classifying the problems that appear in them.The main problems belong to three classes： lack of oneness， lack of accuracy， and lack of annotation.In connection with these problems， proper translation methods of Chinese diet with local characteristics are put forward and many examples are given to the readers.The translation methods are classified as literal translation， liberal translation， literal translation with annotation， transliteration， and transliteration with annotation.

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