A Study Of Chinese-to-English Translation Of TCM Terms From The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence

As one of the medical heritages with unique Chinese characteristics, traditional Chinese medicine brings special effects and even miracles in treating certain serious illnesses which are thought to be incurable in western medicine. The value of TCM is being gradually recognized and accepted by the whole world, which promotes the expansion of TCM in other countries. However, the development of TCM in different nations varies. The global spreading of TCM is confronted with many problems such as the lack of a systematic and appropriate theoretical guidance as well as the inaccurate translation of TCM terms. English plays an important and significant role in the global transmission of TCM. The accurate English translation of TCM terminology is the stepping stone for the success of English translation of TCM. However, the lack of standardization and the poor quality of the English translation of TCM terms can often be seen. One of the causes that lead to this phenomenon is the lack of a suitable and practical translation theory.This thesis explores and analyzes Nida’s functional equivalence theory and its characteristics, the history and importance of English translation of TCM terms. It also discusses the problems that occur in the English translation of TCM terms and provides corresponding strategies. It explores the guidance of Nida’s functional equivalence theory in the English translation of TCM terms and provides relevant principles and methods for the English translation of TCM terms.Under the guidance of Nida’s functional equivalence theory in the English translation of TCM terms, the author analyzes specific examples and finds that English translation of TCM terms is far more than literary translation, but a combination of medical translation and literature translation. Its main goal is to accurately convey the original TCM information."The readers’acceptance" should be given the top priority. If conveying the original information and formal equivalence can not be achieved at the same time, formal equivalence should be replaced by functional equivalence. On the basis of accurate transmission of the original medical information in the TCM terms, Chinese literature features should also be reflected in the translation. Under the guidance of Nida’s functional equivalence theory, it is advised that TCM terms should be divided into different categories, English versions of TCM terms should be unified, a unified vocabulary of English versions of TCM terms should be established and principles&methods should be complied with in a flexible way in the English translation of TCM terms. Finally, in this dissertation, limitations and suggestions are provided.