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The Chinese Tea That Became a British Joke — and Those That Didn’t 

Contributions from individuals with unique perspectives to share. Hear from everyone, from experts and commentators to those whose voices are often marginalized.

VOICES & OPINION

From prestigious imports to pantomime dames, Chinese tea terms in English reveal a history of admiration, adaptation, and distortion.

How Cantonese Cuisine Became Part of the English Language

From dim sum to char siu, dozens of Cantonese culinary terms have entered the global lexicon, reflecting more than a century of migration, trade, and cultural exchange.

The Lexicon of Revolution: Tracing the Origins and Global Journey of China’s ‘Long March’

The Long March is a foundational epic in modern China. But what goes into a name that will stand the test of time?

Inside the Linguistic and Cultural Rebellion of the ‘Mudan’

Once banished, the mudan’s iconoclastic nature has reigned supreme in the springtime, from its refusal to fit into neat linguistic categories to its enduring allure to this day.

What’s In a Name? How Kalgan Transformed From Gate, to City, to Planet

Many know Zhangjiakou as a top destination for winter sports, but not too long ago, it was once known as Kalgan — capturing the imaginations of travelers, presidents, and science fiction writers alike.

The Women Who Translated Chinese Cuisine Into American

Chinese food became a popular American dinner because of the pioneering work of two women who, in the middle of the 20th century, set out to teach the flavors of home to their new country.

The Rise and Fall of Chinese Pidgin English

When East met West in the mid-1800s, no one could understand each other. After a concerted effort between working-class Chinese and early traders, a new language was born, traces of which live on to this day.

What’s the Right Way to Translate Chinese Dish Names?

Finding the right way to render a dish like “husband and wife slices” into English isn’t easy.