International Journal of Social Science & Economic Research
Submit Paper

Title:
Translating Chinese Culinary Culture: an Investigation into the Subtitle Translation in Docuseries Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan

Authors:
Qiu Yu

Journal: International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research (IJSSER)
ISSN: 2455-8834
Volume: 10
Issue: 11
Publication Date: November 2025
DOI: 10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i11.024

|| ||

Qiu Yu
Southwest Jiaotong University, China

MLA 8
Yu, Qiu. "Translating Chinese Culinary Culture: an Investigation into the Subtitle Translation in Docuseries Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, vol. 10, no. 11, Nov. 2025, pp. 6006-6022, doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i11.024. Accessed Nov. 2025.
APA 6
Yu, Q. (2025, November). Translating Chinese Culinary Culture: an Investigation into the Subtitle Translation in Docuseries Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan. Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research, 10(11), 6006-6022. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i11.024
Chicago
Yu, Qiu. "Translating Chinese Culinary Culture: an Investigation into the Subtitle Translation in Docuseries Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan." Int. j. of Social Science and Economic Research 10, no. 11 (November 2025), 6006-6022. Accessed November, 2025. https://doi.org/10.46609/IJSSER.2025.v10i11.024.

References

[1] . Bassnett, S. & Lefevere, A. 1990. Translation, History, and Culture[M]. London: Pinter.
[2] . Bassnett, S. 2013. Translation Studies. (4th edition) [M]. London and New York: Routledge.
[3] . Díaz-Cintas, J. & Remael, A. 2021. Subtitling: Concepts and practices (2nd edition) [M]. Routledge.
[4] . Tang, J. 2014. Translating Kung Fu Panda’s kung fu-related elements: cultural representation in dubbing and subtitling [J]. Perspectives 22(3): 437-456.
[5] . Taylor, C. 2015. Language as Access: Transposition and Translation of Audiovisual Texts as a Vehicle of Meaning and a Gateway to Understanding [A]. In S. Starc, C. Jones & A. Maiorani (eds.). Meaning Making in Text [C]. Palgrave Macmillan, London. 170-193.
[6] . Toury, G. 1995. Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond [M]. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins.
[7] . Nida, E. A. 1964. Toward a Science of Translating [M]. Leiden: E. J. Brill.
[8] . Dong, L. 2021. The Difference and Classification of Translation Techniques, Translation Methods, and Translation Strategies [J]. Journal of Xiangtan University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition) 45(02): 186-189.
[9] . Ji, F & Ji S. A Study on Translation Strategies of English Subtitles for the 2007 film "Hero" [J]. Shanghai Translation (2): 77-79.
[10] . Li Yunxing [Li,Y]. 2001. Strategies for Subtitle Translation [J]. China Translation (04): 38-40.
[11] . Ping Hong [Ping, H]. 2002. Text Function and Translation Strategies [J]. China Translation (05): 21-25.
[12] . Wang Dongfeng [Wang, D]. 2002. Domestication and Foreignization: The Clash of Spear and Shield? [J]. China Translation (05): 26-28.
[13] . Wang Jing [Wang, J]. A Comparative Study on Metaphorical Phenomena of the Chinese and Japanese Taste Words "sweet" and "amami" [J]. Foreign Language Research (03): 43-48.
[14] . Wang, Y & Yong, M. 2019. The Perseverance and Transformation of Documentaries under the Internet Wave: An Interview with Chen Xiaoqing's Team at Daolai Documentary Lab [J]. Journalism and Writing (5): 82-86.
[15] Wei, J. 2021. A Brief Analysis of the Construction and Dissemination of Regional Cultural Images in Food Documentaries from the Perspective of Visual Anthropology—Taking "Flavor Origin • Chaoshan" as an Example [J]. Western Radio and Television 42 (17): 131-133.
[16] Wu, W. 2021. A Review of "A Bite of China" from the Perspective of Film and Television Production [J]. China Brewing (2): 228.

ABSTRACT:
This study, from the perspective of cultural translation, investigates the efficacy of translating the regional food culture of Chaoshan as depicted in the food docuseries Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan. As China’s cultural influence expands globally, food, serving as a significant cultural symbol, plays a crucial role in cross-cultural communication. Comprising twenty episodes, Flavorful Origins: Chaoshan offers an in-depth exploration of the region’s distinctive cuisine and culinary culture, providing viewers with a rich audiovisual experience. Through its subtitling, the series conveys regional cultural elements to a global audience. This study argues that translation in this context transcends linguistic transfer, acting as a channel for cultural exchanges by interpreting ingredients and dishes, cooking techniques, and sensory experiences. This approach not only facilitates cross-cultural exchanges and comprehension but also provides access for international audiences to appreciate authentic Chinese culture. Consequently, this study examines the transmission of distinctive Chinese culinary culture through the tripartite lens of ingredients and dishes, culinary procedures, and four-character gustatory descriptions, analyzing how these elements are rendered for a global viewership.

IJSSER is Member of