Exploration And Research On English Translation Strategies Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Classics

ObjectiveNowadays under the background of global internationalization, China has made an increasingly close contact with the world. Meanwhile, communications of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) between various countries become more and more frequent. As one of our traditional cultural treasures, TCM classic plays a vital role in inheriting and spreading TCM culture. Therefore, English translation of TCM classics is the premise and foundation for the internationalization of TCM. However, recently the academic studies has reached no unanimous understanding on TCM translation standard and the scholars has not established an adequacy system on TCM translation method as well.To solve this problem, our research will explore English translation strategies on TCM classics from the perspective of term, sentence and discourse respectively in order to establish a complete translation theory research paradigm for TCM classics, providing new ideas on theory study for TCM clinicians, TCM translation researchers and TCM translation teaching professors. Consequently, our study could help to improve TCM classic translation level and promote TCM international exchange so as to carry forward TCM a glory future.MethodsOur study adopted research methods of multiple points of view, multiple theories, multiple texts as well as multiple levels.A. Literature Research MethodBased on consulting all related previous studies of TCM classic translation, we determine this research subject. After referring to related materials of western translation theories, we found our theory basis. Reading carefully and analyzing the notes by ancient and modern clinicians and translation versions of Huangdi’s Internal Classic(Huangdi Neijing), Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases (Shanghanlun), Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber (Jinguiyaolue) and Treatise on Warm Heat Disease (Wenrelun), we obtained TCM theory and its connotation attached to the selected texts and decided its optimum translation version and typical corpus in order to reveal classic translation methods in a complete and proper way.B. Interdisciplinary Research MethodWe have applied interdisciplinary approaches of Traditional Chinese Medicine and English translation, with reference to multidisciplinary theories, methodology and research findings of English linguistics, English culturology, English stylistics, ancient Chinese theory, modern Chinese theory and so on. Therefore, we study the issue synthetically as a whole so as to find an optimal translation strategy.C. Descriptive Research MethodAfter elaborating and explaining the origins, proposers and contents of the theories mentioned above, we illustrate the applications into corresponding TCM classics respectively, which is expected to help readers to comprehend the configuration of our new theory.D. Comparative Analysis MethodThis article adopted comparative analysis method. When introducing the heart diseases sentence translation strategy in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, we select translation versions by Luo Xiwen, Nigel Wiseman and Huanghai. When discussed Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber, we chose translation versions by Luo Xiwen and Ruan Jiyuan. As to Huangdi’s Internal Classic, we use versions by Li Zhaoguo, Ilza Veith and Lv Congming. Simultaneously, we compare the versions mentioned above with the author’s version or compare them with each other so that the features of each version could be seen in a more prominent and distinctive way, with profound and outstanding characteristics.E. Experience Summary MethodThrough the analysis and generalization of translation strategies on TCM classics from the perspective of term, sentence and text respectively, we sum up the above theories systematically and comprehensively, which is sublimated into a complete translation theory research paradigm for the promotion and popularization of TCM classics.ResultsThis dissertation is divided into five parts for discussion.The first part is Literature Review. In this part, we briefly discuss recent development researches of TCM classic translation both at home and abroad, followed by analyzing the trend and disadvantages of previous studies. Accordingly we find out the point of breakthrough and innovation of our issue.The second part is Translation Strategy of TCM Classic Term. In this part, we introduce western cultural theory into translation studies to form "Cultural Translation Theory". Based on it, we discuss term translation strategy in Treatise on Warm Heat Disease by Ye Tianshi as well as translation principle and approaches.The third part is Translation Strategy of TCM Classic Sentence. This part put western linguistic theory into translation researches. On the basis of "Back-transformation Theory" by Eugene A Nida, we discuss sentence translation strategy of heart diseases in Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases and Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber.The fourth part is Translation Strategy of TCM Classic Discourse. In this part, we lead western Systemic Functional School theory into translation studis. According to Cohesion Theory by Halliday and Hasan, we discuss discourse translation strategy of the cardiovascular system and its related diseases in Huangdi’s Internal Classic.The fifth part is Conclusion. In this part, we combine the translation strategies of term, sentence and discourse mentioned above to a whole system, which is sublimated into a complete translation theory research paradigm of TCM classics.ConelusionThrough discussion and researches of our dissertation, we make conclusions as follows:A. Translation Strategy of TCM Classic TermWith the illumination of western Polysystem theory, Cultural Translation Theory was produced. It is one of the most influential theory in western translation schools. This theory offered guidance on term translation strategies in Treatise on Warm Heat Disease from cultural level, showing various glamour in cultural exchanges. On classic Term translation, we’d better take "mainly based on foreignization and domestication as minor" as its principle.Foreignization directly recurred cultural feature and style of original language and show diversity and heterogenicity to readers of target language. It is available for the translation of etiology, pathogenesis, transmission, therapeutic principle and method of treatment.Transliteration, as a special form of foreignization, is suitable for herbal medicine name and formula name. Domestication emphasized to convey connotations of original language in a proper way, which is familiar with readers of target language. Owing to the cost of sacrificing the exotic culture, it is only applicable to symptom, sign and organ name.B. Translation Strategy of TCM Classic SentenceDerived from the classical western linguistics theory, that is "Transformational Generative Grammar", Back-transformation Theory is applied to sentence translation of heart diseases in Treatise on Cold Damage and Miscellaneous Diseases(Shanghanzabinglun), which is regarded as the progenitor of all formulas. This theory aims to "reproduce in the receptor language the closest natural equivalent of the source language message". This process needs four phrases:analysis, deep transfer, restructuring and surface test.C. Translation Strategy of TCM Classic DiscourseIn terms to the layout of translation text, Cohesion Theory in Systemic Functional Grammar could strengthen the bonds in logic and semantic relations of translation versions. During the process of discourse translation, translators should be aware of Cohesion Theory, including grammatical. cohesion and lexical cohesion. Then we could translate parataxis of original text into hypotaxis of target text skillfully, demonstrating the topic and style of original work to the greatest extent. Therefore, readers could appreciate the beauty of TCM theory and the charming of language in Huangdi’s Internal Classic.In conclusion, we integrate the TCM classic translation strategies of term, sentence and discourse mentioned above into a coherent whole translation theory of research paradigm, which will provide a completely new approach for the development of TCM translation, promotion of TCM foreign exchanges as well as the transmission of TCM culture.