On C-E Translation Of Fundamental TCM Terms In Huangdi Neijing From Perspective Of Adaptation Theory

Under the background of the “Belt and Road” initiative,China's international status has been increasingly improved,and communication with the outside world has been greatly enhanced.TCM(acronym for traditional Chinese medicine)has also quickened its paces to the world.TCM terms,as the most important part of TCM,are the key to understanding the theoretical system of TCM for TCM scholars home and abroad.Hence,proper translation of TCM terms will surely speed up the paces of TCM culture worldwide spreading.However,due to the profound cultural connotation of TCM terms,proper translation of them is never easy to achieve.Nowadays,chaos in translation criteria,information distortion in English version still exist in TCM terms translation.TCM terms translation leaves much to be desired.These problems exist mainly because of lacking a proper guiding theory.To change the situation,the author found adaptation theory might help.In this paper,the author attempts to discuss the translation principles and methods of TCM Terms from this perspective with TCM translation lovers.Huangdi Neijing(Neijing),known as the origin of TCM,is the earliest systematic extant medical cannon in China.This paper has focused on six most fundamental TCM terms in Neijing:Jing(?),Qi(?),Shen(?),Yinyang(??),Wuxing(??)and Wuzangliufu(????),and studied their English translations in Luo Xiwen's version.Through a comparative analysis of the fundamental TCM terms,the author has concluded three kinds of translation problems in Luo's version,including undertranslation,inexact translation and inconsistency in translation.The author attempts to solve these problems from the perspective of adaptation theory.Based on such principles as adaptation to the communicative context,adaptation to the linguistic context,dynamics of adaptation and the salience of adaptation,the author has provided proper translations for those TCM terms,and concluded three translation methods for translating the six fundamental TCM terms in Neijing,including transliteration with international standard terms,transliteration with liberal translation and transliteration with literal translation,wishing to offer some reflection and reference on TCM terms translation.