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Why translating Chinese food names into English is an 'an impossible task' | CNN


//food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/04/29 .. s-into-english-is-an-an-impossible-task-cnn.html
Published in Food and Wine on by CNN   Print publication without navigation

Foreign travelers visiting China will inevitably encounter amusing translations on English restaurant menus during their journeys. So why is it so darn tricky to translate Chinese dish names into English? We asked the experts.

The article from CNN discusses the humorous and often confusing translations of Chinese dishes on English menus, highlighting the challenges of translating culinary terms across languages. It features examples like "husband and wife lung slices" and "ants climbing a tree," which are literal translations that can bewilder non-Chinese speakers. The piece explains that these translations stem from a combination of direct translations of Chinese characters and the difficulty in conveying the essence of dishes like "Buddha jumps over the wall" or "fish-fragrant pork." The article also touches on efforts to improve these translations, such as using more descriptive or culturally familiar terms, to enhance the dining experience for international visitors and reflects on the broader implications for cultural exchange and understanding.

Read the Full CNN Article at:
[ https://www.cnn.com/travel/chinese-food-translations-english-menus-intl-hnk/index.html ]

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