A Study On English Translation Skills Of Terminology

With the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) reaching a new peak as well as its rise of popularity worldwide, communication has become a major role in spreading this ancient medical system. The widespread of Chinese Medicine currently includes bringing its rich cultural background and medical theory system across, and such transmission can only be done through the use of language. Written or oral form, each type of expression cannot be separated through the use of language, and for people who are not familiar with Chinese culture and its language, communicating such messages could meet a barrier. To better serve the world and fulfill the global dream of TCM, TCM Translation has become an inseparable part of its development.TCM Terminologies has been translated into many different languages in different Countries. This thesis mainly focuses on the English Translation. Through decades of development and research, the standardization of the English Translation of TCM has in fact reached a somewhat mature stage. When the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Section published the book "WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine in the Western Pacific Region", and the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) published the book "International Standard Chinese-English Basic Nomenclature of Chinese Medicine", the English Translation of TCM reached a near completion state. The translation principle that was used by the two organizations while translating the TCM terminologies had similarities; both went for simplicity, with the use of many translation methods, such as using both literal translation and free translation equally etc. according to different circumstances. However, as many similarities as they may have, some terminologies still have different translations, and apart from the standards that the two organizations had put out, other commonly used English TCM terminologies still exist and are being used just as commonly, bringing many frustrations to people learning TCM in English or people new to TCM Translation. No matter which translated term we choose, or which translation method we favor, in the end, the purpose of translation is to increase TCM communication efficacy and its education quality, helping TCM spread in a faster and better way, promoting the international clinical development of TCM.Objetive:To understand translation methods that best suit modern foreign students, giving reference data for choosing translation methods for translators, and at the same time, give English translated terminology basis for experts when choosing translated terms.Method:(1) Filter, select and translate 35 common TCM terminologies often seen in "Warm Diseases" that have many different English translations. (2) Translations are mainly from terms offered by the WHO and WFCMS standards as well as other commonly used translations (3) Terms that have no Pinyin transliteration are additionally transliterated into pinyin. For terms that are complete sentences such as Treatment methods and Syndromes, only the noun is transliterated into pinyin. (4) By using surveys, random foreign students and people with Phd. English levels from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine are randomly selected to take the survey. (5) Surveys are then filtered and analyzed.Results:(1) Terms translated with free translation were best suited for Disease related terms. Terms with etiological and pathological information should be kept by using literal translation. Eight of the nine Conceptual and Anatomical terms that were best suited all used Pinyin translation. Straightforward terms with corresponding English words all had corresponding English translations viewed as best suited. Verbs for Syndrome and Treatment Method terms that used free translation was viewed as best suited. Etiological terms had terms translated with free translation viewed as best suited, and ones including TCM etiological and pathological information that had it kept using literal translation was viewed as best suited. Names translated using the Chinese naming system (Surname, First Name) were viewed as best translations.(2) Of all English translations,26% of Literal Translation was selected as best-suited translation.33% for Free Translation,32% for Transliteration and 66% for Literal Translation with Free Translation.(3) Of all terminologies with particular TCM Philosophical Concepts, Transliteration percentages are all higher than other translations except for the term "Jing".Conclusion:(1) Literal, free and Pinyin translation should all be used according to specific terminology types.(2) Terms with TCM etiological and pathological information should be kept by using literal translation.(3) For syndrome and treatment method terminologies, Pinyin and literal translation shouldn’t be considered. Free translation should be used, and the translated text should be very "Clear and definite".(4) Name translations can be considered to be translated while keeping the traditional Chinese culture; keeping the Surname at the front.(5) Terminologies with unique TCM concepts should be translated using Pinyin translation, but an explanation should be added.(6) For terms that have English translations used for a long time, such translations can be kept and used.