Application Of Domestication And Foreignization Strategy In TCM Translation From The Perspective Of Intercultural Communication

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM hereafter) is precious cultural heritage of ancient Chinese civilizations. TCM translation serves as the bridge for the internationalization of TCM. In the current TCM translation, misinterpretations are widespread phenomena which result in the low level of the overall translation quality. The lack of translation theory and standard are still the major problems that constraint the transmission of TCM to the world.This thesis discusses the development of TCM translation studies and existing problems of TCM translation. With the basic information of present state of TCM translation, it makes an analysis of the application of domestication and foreignization strategies in TCM translation from the perspective of intercultural communication. In addition, it expounds the basic concepts of these two strategies and their practical principles in TCM translation. The principles are as follows:If it is semantically possible, literal translation is recommended to help preserve the original flavor of TCM, that is, one Chinese character is being translated in one English word accordingly. With the lack of correspondence in Western medicine, use transliteration to convey cultural message and enrich the target language. For those terms that are rich in cultural connotations and can not be rendered by literal translation, use free translation; borrowing words from western medicine to reduce cultural otherness.TCM terms are rather rich in cultural connotations, which provides a solid basis for the study of translating them from the perspective of intercultural communication. Adopting the theory of intercultural communication can not tackle all the problems existing in this field but it can help translators to motivate their awareness about cultural obstacles which hinder the transmission and translation of TCM in intercultural communication.The language of TCM is deeply influenced by Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, and domestication and foreignization should be applied in dealing with cultural factors. Translator is the subject of translation, serving as a bridge between source language and target language readers. The low level of TCM translation to some extent results from the lack of competent translators. Hence, the enhancement of the translator’s competence is also an urgent task. Good mastery of language and profound knowledge of TCM and relevant subjects are of vital importance to the translation of TCM.The findings of this study can help translators to choose appropriate strategies in the TCM terms translating practice and achieve a satisfactory effect so that TCM can be spread to the western countries. Furthermore, they will help push forward the internationalization of TCM.