A Stduy Of Huangdi Neijing English Translation Strategies From The Perspective Of Cultranslation Theory

Huangdi’s Internal Classic, or Huangdi Neijing, is the earliest medical classic of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extant in China. Due to its rich content, profound medical knowledge, and the basic theory system of TCM, it is regarded as one of medical classics to be learned in TCM study. This book was written very early, and mutually integrated with the Chinese ancient culture. It is not only a medical classic, but a cultural work.Since 21 Century, with the process of global integration, exchanges between countries have become increasingly frequent, and TCM is accepted by more and more people in the world. Thereby, many scholars,at home and abroad, are committed to study the translation of Chinese medicine into English. The Internal Classic, as the foundation of Chinese medicine, has been repeatedly translated by domestic and foreign scholars. The book has become the bridge to spread the TCM culture.This paper first reviewed the history of the book’s translation and the related researches. And then, guided by the cultural translation theory, we explored the application of foreignization and domestication in the translation of the internal classic from the perspective of the relationship between translation and culture. We compared the versions of Li Zhaoguo and Veith, selected 3 paragraphs from them, and analyzed the differences between the two versions. Li used foreignization translation strategy in order to retain the TCM culture; while Veith used domestication translation strategy in order to let westerners understand the book. Combined with the two versions, the author gives the own translation examples. And then through the questionnaire, we made an investigation to find out reader’s satisfaction to the three versions. The result showed that Veith’s and author’s versions were dual more satisfactory to the target readers than Li’s. Therefore, the author believes that the translation of TCM should not only retain the cultural elements, but also meet the satisfaction of the target readers. The author maintain that translators shall use the eclectic translation principle. We shall combine the foreignization and domestication for the translation. As this way the version can not only retain the traditional Chinese culture, but focus on both TCM culture and readability.