Of Authenticity and Assimilation: Names of American Chinese Restaurants

What is it about?

This study examines the naming practices of 423 American Chinese restaurants (ACR) in Los Angeles County. The results reveal that through the incorporation of region names, family names, and transliterated hanzi, ACR names not only serve as markers of restaurant type, they also showcase the diversity within the Chinese culinary tradition. As creations of immigrants, ACR names simultaneously reflect an embracing of cultural assimilation.

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Why is it important?

The results of this study can contribute to studies on naming practices of ethnic restaurants and, in general, to the field of food onomastics.