According to the definition, the key to communicative translation is to convey information and to facilitate the exchange of communication, and give full play to the function of language to convey information, as well as producing results. It pays attention to the reader’s understanding and reflection. On top of these two basic definitions, Newmark disputed problems of how to apply the concepts to translations. He catalog all discourses, and adopt different translation methods in accordance with different text types.

According to this table serious literature and other authoritative discourse are part of the expression, the report of science and technology belong to the information classes, and political speeches, propaganda materials, commercial advertising, even the popular literature belong to the class. 

So, what kind of method should the translator adopt? The first thing the translator need to take into account is the type of text. The type of text decides the focus of the translation. Is it on the source language or the target language? Is it on the aim of providing information or persuading the reader? Then translator could adopt appropriate translation methods according to the characteristics of the various text. In short, text type “will always determine what strategies do you use”. (Yang Qunyan, 2008:66)

 Newmark adopt the semantic translation methods to deal with the text type with expression functions, while he use the communicative translation method to deal with the text type which has the informative or imperative functions. In terms of the textual function, menu text is of the informational, encouraging type. Its translation aims to pass the information about the materials and cooking or processing method of the every dish on the menu. And its translation has the function of advocating the culture of source language. Translation of the texts should be judged mainly and aimed at realizing the function of passing information. Translation does not need to be corresponded to the original text literally. In the process of translating some dishes with cultural characteristics of a language, special attention should be paid to the culture difference of two languages. If it is necessary, pragmatic adjustments should be made and notes should be added in translation.