An Analysis Of Metaphor-loaded Dish Names Of Chinese Eight Major Culinary Schools From The Perspective Of Conceptual Metaphor

China has a long history, and Chinese food culture also runs through historical flow of Chinese culture. We can tell supreme position of Chinese food culture from the proverb “Food is sky for the people”. The study of food for Chinese people is also extensive and profound. Chinese food raw materials include animal flying in the sky, running on the ground and swimming in the water. In Chinese traditional culture, the significance of dish names is extremely plentiful. Therefore, an exquisite, decorous dish name can not only delight body and mind, but also can commemorate great men and make wishes. Hence a large number of dish names are created. Some are named after allusion, some are named after historical figures, and some,more specially, are named after metaphor. They all show ingenuity and are full of literary grace. As the rise of China, more and more foreigners come to pay close attention to China and Chinese culture. In order to promote world’s communication and strengthen the friendship between Chinese people and foreign people, it is highly important to study Chinese food culture. Under this background, research on dish names has drawn many scholars’ attention. However, many scholars emphasis on study of translating methods and translating techniques of Chinese dish names, or study of nominating methods of Chinese dish names in functional as well as cultural approaches. Their research provides valuable data and information for further study. But few of them use conceptual metaphor theory to study Chinese dish names. Consequently, in this thesis, we built a corpus, classified dish names, and did circumstantial analysis on metaphor-loaded dish names of Eight Major Culinary Schools. Research purposes of this thesis are:(1) Using conceptual metaphor to analyze metaphor-loaded dish names, and verify conceptual metaphor theory in return, in order to make a further understanding about conceptual metaphor theory, as well as push the study of it to a new level.(2) Making further understanding of Chinese traditional culture, social customs and habits, as well as senses and concepts, through discussing the background and cultural features of metaphor-loaded dish names, hereby to popularize Chinese culture and promote international communication. Meanwhile, two research questions are to be answered:(1) As for Eight Major Culinary Schools, how to construct the conceptual metaphor of metaphor-loaded dish names?(2) Is there any preference for each school to nominate their metaphor-loaded dish names?After the research, we found that metaphor-loaded dish names are nominated through animal, flower and treasure mapping with raw material. The conceptual metaphor is constructed due to similar shape, similar color and homophonic character.Nominating preference really exists for Eight Major Culinary Schools: Anhui–phoenix & chrysanthemum; Fujian–jade & pearl; Guangdong–phoenix & kylin; Hunan–lotus; Jiangsu–silver; Shandong–louts; Sichuan–dragon and Zhejiang–gold.This thesis is divided into five parts:Chapter one introduces to research background, research purpose, research methods and framework of the study.Chapter two introduces the history and development of Chinese food, together with the relationship between Chinese culture and Chinese food. Then literature review is done about research on Chinese dish names.Chapter three illustrates conceptual metaphor theory.Chapter four self-built corpus is established. Some representative metaphor-loaded dish names are analyzed by means of conceptual metaphor theory. Dish names are classified and statistical research is conducted.Chapter five is the conclusion. Research findings are elaborated. Shortcomings are also represented. Some advices for further study are proposed.