苏说文化之中国筷子(英文版)

Chinese Chopsticks
In ancient China, chopsticks were called 'Zhu'. Having learned to steam and boil food our ancestors found it difficult to get food out of hot soup. So they cleverly invented 'Zhu' to nip food, thus it has become the most convenient tableware in their lives. The development of chopstick has experienced a long history. Early in Xia Dynasty, the shape was still in development. Chopsticks only became two sticks of the same length in the Shang Dynasty. The appearance of chopsticks said goodbye to those days when our Chinese ancestors had to use their hands to eat, so they featured the coming of civilization to food culture.
中国古代,筷子被称为“箸”。我们的祖先学会蒸煮食物后,发现很难从热汤中取出食物。于是他们巧妙地发明了“箸”来夹食物,因此它成了他们生活中最方便的餐具。筷子的演变有着悠久的历史,在夏朝,还没有定型。直到商代,筷子才变成了两根同样长度的棍子。筷子的出现,我们的祖先告别了用手吃饭的时代,标志着饮食文化文明的到来。
Simply composed of two sticks, a pair of chopsticks can deal with a variety of food. This embodies a Chinese philosophy of coping with shifting events by sticking to a fundamental principle. Using chopsticks regularly not only get joints and muscles exercised but also benefits children’s intelligence. Besides, chopsticks can do something you can never expect, like hair dressing.
简简单单的两根筷子,却可以应对多种食物。这体现了中国人基本得处世哲学:以不变应万变。经常使用筷子不仅可以锻炼关节和肌肉,而且对孩子的智力也有好处。此外,筷子还可以有意想不到的作用,比盘头。
Then, how to use chopsticks correctly. First, put the first chopstick on the ring finger and hold it tight on the part of the hand between thumb and the index finger. Next, the second chopstick is put on the middle finger and it's fixed between the thumb and the index finger. Then, use the thumb as the fulcrum and use the index finger and the middle one to move the upper chopstick. The lower one is fixed.
那么,如何正确使用筷子。首先,把一根筷子置于无名指上,用虎口紧紧夹住握住。然后,把另一根筷子置于中指上,用拇指和食指固定。最后,以拇指为支点,用食指和中指移动上方的筷子,下面的筷子不动。
The use of chopsticks has been a part of Chinese food culture. There are some taboos that you must pay great attention to, or you may make mistakes and be laughed at. First, don't insert it vertically into the bowls or dishes. Chinese people do this only when they burn incense to sacrifice the dead. Second, don't use it to hit the side of your bowl or plate to make a lot of noise, because Chinese people think only beggars would do this to beg for meals. Third, don't use it to poke at every dish without knowing what you want. And last, don't stretch out your index finger, which would be regarded as a kind of accusation to others.
筷子是中国饮食文化的一部分。使用时,有一些禁忌务必注意,否则会被视为无礼并被嘲笑。首先,不要将筷子垂直插在食物上。中国人只有在烧香祭拜逝者时才会这样做。第二,不要用筷子敲打碗碟,发出声音,因为中国人认为,只有乞丐才会这样做来,乞讨食物。第三,不确定自己是否要吃这道菜,就不要用筷子去动它。最后,不要伸出食指,这会被认为是对他人的一种指责。
Nowadays, chopsticks serve many new functions besides tableware. For example, you can buy a pair as a gift to your friends and relatives. In Chinese, They read 'Kuaizi', which means to have kids soon, so a newly-married couple will be very happy to accept then as their wedding gift. Skillful craftsmen painted beautiful sceneries on chopsticks to make them like fine artworks. Many people love to collect them as their treasure.
如今,除了作为餐具外,筷子还有许多新功能。例如,你可以买一双作为礼物送给亲朋好友。汉语中,“筷子”与“快子”谐音,意思是“早生贵子”,所以作为新婚礼物,也是也不失为一种好的选择。工匠们也会在筷子上雕刻美丽的风景,使之成为精美的艺术品。许多人喜欢将其作为艺术品来收集。
Small as they are chopsticks can pass on Chinese civilization, carrying forward different forms of unique Chinese culture. The world becomes colorful thanks to diversified civilizations and cultural tensions created by differences possess a unique form of charm. Chinese culture has always been there, showing its unique charm and openness. With 1.8 billion users, chopsticks are by no means just a kind of stick-shaped cutlery.
小小的筷子,传递着中华文明,弘扬着中华文化。世界因文明多样而更加灿烂,文化因各具特色而更具张力。中国文化源远流长,魅力独特和开放包容。18亿使用的筷子,它绝不仅仅是一种简单的餐具那么简单。