Abstract:Good translation is not only in the form transferring between two languages, but also in the suitable interchanges between two cultures. This thesis aims to look into the English translation of Chinese 08 Olympic Chinese Menu which is launched by The foreign affairs office of the Beijing municipal people’s government and the Beijing tourism bureau on the 2008 and find out what problems have been solved and how and what problems are newly triggered or still remains to be improved. In the study, specific incorrect examples are taken for the writer to transfer, according to the Chinese dish names are classified into seven major groups, and a corresponding version is given as revised model for comparison. Meanwhile certain translation principles are introduced in the process for reference.
This thesis analyses the Chinese 08 Olympic Chinese Menu, which suggests that translators should choose the optimal method according to the cultural denotation of dish names, so as to avoid using misleading or confusing terms. Through the analysis, it is certain that cultural factors and elements are definitely important in meaningful and effective translation. To get satisfactory versions many useful devices and methods can be adopted or introduced in careful practice. Hard work will always be rewarding.
Chinese food culture is regarded as a great wonder in the world. To maintain, develop and introduce Chinese unique food culture, menu translation should be and has become an urgent job, thought it’s difficult but it’s meaningful.
Key words: 08 Olympic Chinese menu; denotation; confusion; effective translation methods
摘要:在翻译中，脱离文化背景的语言代码没有实际意义。因为语言只有在其自身的文化背景中体现真正的意义。本文根据08年北京市人民政府外事办公室和北京市旅游局联合推出了北京市菜单英文译法中，从文化角度系统地分析了中餐菜单英译版本所解决了哪些现存的翻译问题，而且对产生问题的原因进行分析。阐述了研究结果显示：错译，乱译等，除了态度不严肃，不负责任，或水平有限的情况外，主要原因是忽略了文化因素和文化内涵。因此，笔者在分析08中国奥运菜单的翻译后阐述了文化和翻译的关系，认为文化因素在菜单英译中的影响不容忽视。本文根据08奥运菜单把中国菜系的翻译分为七类，通过对具体译例的分析，提出相应的适当的纠错译文并建议根据菜名的文化内涵选择最佳翻译方法。
总之，2008年中国奥运菜单的英译是弘扬中华文化伟业的重要一环，虽然众口难调，但也是非常有意义的。
关键字: 08奥运菜单； 文化内涵； 紊乱； 得体的翻译方法
