Towards Standardizing English Translation Of Chinese Medical Terms: Principles And Methods

The confusion caused by nonstandard English translations of traditional Chinese medical terms as undermined the westward transmission of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). A andardized English terminology for TCM would help Westerners properly understand this ancient medical system, promote Chinese medical philosophy and culture, and establish an unequivocal Chinese medical discourse. This research compares seven English terminologies of TCM proposed by major translators in the field, analyzes their strengths and weaknesses, and proposes the principle(s) and methods of translating Chinese medical terms.The dominant principle of translating Chinese medical terms is to transmit Chinese medical culture while preserving the integrity and culturality of TCM concepts. TCM, a historically evolved art rooted in traditional Chinese culture, is alien to Westerners. The fundamental differences between Chinese medicine and Western medicine make it difficult for Westerners to understand Chinese medicine properly. The cultural turn in translation studies in recent decades is not an anti-linguistic paradigm but a re-orientation of the focus of translation. Only in its unique culture and context can TCM be properly understood and accepted by Western readers. Chinese medical culture can be summarized as below:The theory of TCM is speculative rather than empirical, based on direct observation of external physiological phenomena instead of anatomy and biology.The philosophy of TCM prioritizes the unity of human and nature. TCM analogizes organ functions, disease patterns and symptoms to natural phenomena including climate, music, astrology, animals, geography, etc. The extensive use of metaphor in Chinese medical terms is a proof of such correspondence.The language of TCM is classical Chinese, whose interchangeable characters and semantic vagueness add to the difficulty of comprehending and interpreting. Annotations of Chinese medical classics may present contradictory explanations of the same term. Their coexistence indicates that TCM is tolerant of multiple truths.The methods of translating Chinese medical terms are based on categorization of terms:Transliteration should be minimized.To translate acupoint names, use abbreviation of channel name+number+semantic/literal translation.Polysemous terms can be categorized into two types. Those with determinate referents should be semantically translated. Those with indeterminate referents should be literally translated.Monosemous terms can be categorized into three types. Those which have full equivalents in Western medicine should be translated into their Western medical equivalents. Those which have partial Western medical equivalents (i.e., the two medical systems have different understandings of the pathomechanism of the disease) should be literally translated, avoiding sacrificing the integrity of Chinese medical concepts to the modern technicality of Western medicine. Those which have no Western medical equivalent can be paraphrased; annotation can be added to present the multiple interpretations of terms whose meanings are controversial.As a follow-up, it is necessary to check the logical coherence, dictional conciseness and contextual consistence of the translated terminology. Chinese medical translation is based on research. Research extends the translator’s information network through authentic action.