A Skopos theory-based Study of Translation Strategies of Traditional Chinese Medicine Terms: A Case Study of Shāng Hán Lùn

Abstract

After thousands of years of medical practice, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has developed into a unique medical theoretical system. As a result of the deepening exchanges between China and foreign countries and the extensive spread of TCM therapies and health culture, an increasing number of people are longing to develop a deeper understanding of TCM. TCM is imbued with Chinese cultural and historical elements, and its nomenclature and treatment methods are very different from Western medicine. Due to the lack of systematic theoretical guidance, translators resort to varying translation strategies, leading to inconsistency and confusion in TCM terminology translation. Therefore, in TCM terminology translation, special effort should be made to ensure target readers can comprehend the medical utility and meaning of TCM terms under the condition that the cultural connotations contained therein are well preserved. Skopos theory enables translators to consider purposes of translation, cultural environment, and feelings of target readers, breaking through the language paradigm in translation. By referring to Skopos theory and TCM translation principles, this study aims to develop a target-reader oriented TCM terminology translation method and concludes that translation methods and strategies can be flexibly selected according to the purposes of translation. To ensure the accuracy of TCM terminology translation and facilitate the acceptance and understanding of target readers, a domestication translation strategy is recommended for TCM terms that have counterparts in Western medicine; and for those that contain unique Chinese medical ideas or traditional Chinese cultural concepts and philosophical thoughts, a foreignization translation strategy should be adopted to retain their underlying cultural uniqueness.