Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Effect Embodied In TCM English Translation

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) presents an integral part of traditional Chinese culture, which has made great contributions to the prosperity of China. During several thousands years of medical practice and cultural deposit, it has developed into a comprehensive scientific system which has gradually accepted by many countries. Its translation plays an increasingly important role in the spread of TCM. Westerners, bringing up in the modern medical system, cannot grasp the concept of TCM, and sometimes even misunderstand the concepts, which add tremendous difficulties to the translation of TCM, while the Chinese people who do not have much medical knowledge or profound cultural foundation may also have great difficulties in translating TCM faithfully and accurately.The translation of Traditional Chinese Medicine can be dated from 17th century, when doctors and physicians started to do TCM translation research. Since then, more and more people from home and abroad have committed themselves to the cause of TCM translation. Some problems follow naturally. Inappropriate translation of TCM terms, inadequate transmission of Chinese culture as well as misunderstanding of TCM therapy arouses the attention by many scholars. The inaccurate accounts of TCM evidently impact the spread and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine.During the process of exploring TCM, with the added knowledge and understanding of TCM, people tend to treat TCM not only as a scientific medical system but also as a part of our culture and they come up with the notion that understanding the unique concepts of healing practice is more important than the words translation.With the devoted discussion and study, some translators realize that the language, as a main means of communication, is closely related to culture. The author focuses on the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis which advocates that the thought and language are influenced by the language. Although the hypothesis has aroused much controversy in different fields, their notion has been recognized and proved by many famous scholars. Under the guidance of the hypothesis, the author presents the relationship among language, thought and culture, which would give a helping hand in translating TCM. With reference to the hypothesis, different language systems may reflect the distinctive thoughts and cultures. TCM translation is not only to translate the words but also to transmit the thought and culture that the words convey. So the author expands the culture and thought contained in TCM, and the characteristics of TCM words in the forth chapter. Just due to these unique distinctions, the author comes up with some suggestions of TCM translation according to Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis in the next chapter:(1) literal translation is always suggested when we express the culture, which can maintain unique characteristic of our culture; (2) Translation on the basis of culture connotation, which means we should go deep into the culture to get the true meaning of some terms; (3) Polysemy translation—the annotation after the transliteration of the words is applied to give the readers a complete understanding of the words; (4) The translation of the antithesis, which should give first priority to the connotation transmission, and then the form equivalence; (5) Principle of seek common ground while reserving differences, which points out that remaining the characteristics does not mean we must discard the western system totally. Some terms' translation can still use western translation method for reference.The study has explored the theoretical support for TCM translation and its findings can help translators to choose the more appropriate strategies in translating the works based on the Chinese culture. And it may also help the spread of TCM and our culture to the western countries.