On Translation Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Into English From Cultural Background

Translation of TCM into English actually belongs to cultural communicationof different countries. It is important to solve controversy between languageand culture effectively. This paper discussed strategies and methods oftranslating TCM into English to provide reference for perfecting TCM-translationwork.Selection and Study of Chinese Terms We select and analysis the Chineseterminology with outstanding cultural characteristics from The RepublicNational Standards Terms of the Basic Theory of TCM (GB/T20348-2006),supplemented by Traditional Chinese Medicine Dictionary and Common Terms inChinese Medicine and Pharmacy.English Translation of the Above Terms This study, based on the fivestandards including National Standards of Peoples Republic of China:International Standard Chinese-English Basic Nomenclature of Chinese Medicineand Standard, English Translation of Common Terms in Traditional ChineseMedicine, the Basic Theory Terminology of Traditional Chinese MedicineGB/T20348-2006, Terminologies on Traditional Medicine in the Western PacificRegion, Chinese Terms in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, selectedand analyzed the English translation of the above terms, also applied otherauthorized dictionaries, such as A Practical English Dictionary of ChineseMedicine and Chinese-English Medical Dictionary to discuss translatingstrategies from cultural background.1. Language, Culture and Translation Language is the reflection of human civilization, while culture affectschanges and development of language. The English and Chinese has formed theirown unique language and culture style due to different history, geography andsocial custom. TCM is an vital part in traditional Chinese culture, withencapsulated words and deep meaning. In the process of TCM translation, onlyby grasping cultural difference, can translators achieve excellent works.2. Cultural Differences between English People and Chinese People, andImpact on TranslationCultural factors like mode of thinking, geography, social custom andpolitical and historical differences can influence translation to certainextent.Based on cultural differences, translators can adopt translatingstrategies, i.e.“foreignization” and “domestication” according tospecific context. And the combination of both is commonly applied.3. Influences of traditional Chinese culture on TCM and translationChina has conceived colorful and brilliant culture with its history ofthousands of years. TCM plays outstanding role traditional Chinese culture.Although TCM and traditional Chinese culture belong to different system, theyare inseparable. This paper illustrated impacts of Chinese ancient culture onTCM translation from ancient philosophy, ancient literature and nature andgeography.4. Chinese and Western Medicinal Difference＆Methods of TranslationThis paper discussed corresponding strategies and translating methodsaccording to different cultural conditions. Transliteration is for“lexicalgap”, free translation is for equivalence, literal translation is for meaningcontradiction, free translation for polysemy.Conclusion：1. Translation of TCM into English from cultural background is an importantmethod to achieve successful and ideal translating works.2. Traditional Chinese culture has deep influence on TCM and TCM language. 3. Foreignization and domestication should be applied simultaneouslyaccording to certain context.4. Translation of TCM can adopt methods such as transliteration, freetranslation, literal translation and free translation with notes.