A Study Of English Translation Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Terms From The Perspective Of Skopos Theory

With the development of global cultural diversity and economic integration, the communication and exchange between China and foreign countries is increasing in many fields, among which traditional Chinese medicine is an example. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is provided with unprecedented opportunities in the global competitions, making TCM products more and more popular worldwide. In order to facilitate people to gain a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, the research of the language and culture rich in TCM is becoming increasingly significant, especially in the study of English translation of TCM terms. However, in the past, due to the severe impact of globalization, the traditional Chinese medicine was faced with the problem of disappearing and language localization, the studies of the language and culture of TCM are few in foreign countries and C-E translation of TCM material extremely lack scientific guidance. Therefore the TCM needs to catch up to keep up with the times and broaden the road of its development so as expand and enrich the Chinese medicine culture.TCM terms have high commercial and cultural value for its practical information and its ultimate purpose. Its main function is to prompt the reader and user to grasp its implications contained in traditional Chinese medicine. If a medical term fails to express the right information, this term is valueless. In the same way, if the TCM terms translation can’t achieve this goal, the translation is unsuccessful and inappropriate. Therefore, during the translation the translator should combine the purpose of translation with feasible translation strategies. Nowadays, the C-E translation of traditional Chinese medicine terms has not been fully developed both at home and abroad, and the material of the C-E translation of traditional Chinese medicine terms are limited both in quality and quantity, so the research of C-E translation strategies of traditional Chinese medicine terms is far from enough. "Faithfulness, expressiveness and elegance", "loyal" and "equivalence" and some other traditional translation criteria have been unable to meet the requirements of traditional Chinese medicine terms translation. As a breakthrough of traditional translation theory, the functionalist concept of translation has opened up a brand new perspective to the study of C-E translation of traditional Chinese medicine terms. According to Vermeer’s skopos theory, any form of translation maybe conceived as an action, and any action has its purpose. The purpose decides the overall action. Translation strategies and methods are also determined by the goal and the intended function of the target text. Skopos rule is the top ranking rule for any translation from the perspective of skopos theory. In general, a good TCM terms translation is undoubtedly successful, both in attracting its readers and users and guiding them to learn and understand the traditional Chinese medicine culture. Due to strong purpose of C-E translation of TCM terms, Vemeer’s skopos theory has great guiding significance and practical implication for C-E translation TCM terms. This thesis mainly employs Vemeer’s skopos theory in studying of C-E translation of TCM terms.As is known to all, the C-E translation of traditional Chinese medicine terms will influence the disseminating and application of TCM. Thus, analyzing the status quo of traditional Chinese medicine terms translation and putting forward practical and feasible translation strategies for TCM terms is helpful for both Chinese translators and foreigner readers. In this thesis, a study of C-E translation of TCM terms is made to provide translation strategies under the framework of skopos theory. Firstly, an introduction to traditional Chinese medicine and skopos theory was made. Secondly, an analysis of the problems and reasons in the translation process are presented. Thirdly, the feasible translation strategies will be illustrated in the light of Vermeer’s skopos theory by giving some authentic examples. Finally, a tentative conclusion is made and some suggestions for future research are offered.