Title : A study on the principles and framework for translating traditional medicine terminology
Abstract:
The global dissemination of any traditional medicine system fundamentally depends on the precise and systematic translation of its specialized terminology. This process transcends mere linguistic conversion, serving as the critical conduit for accurate knowledge transfer, authentic cultural representation, and effective international exchange. This paper analyses the structured framework for traditional medicine terminology translation, as informed by international standardization principles. It distils a core set of foundational principles, a strategic classification of term types, and a corresponding methodological toolkit, positioning this work as a multidisciplinary endeavour essential for the global integration and standardization of traditional medical knowledge. The cornerstone of the framework is seven interlocking principles designed to ensure scientific rigor, systematic coherence, and cultural fidelity: Correspondence emphasizes dual semantic and formal alignment, prioritizing accurate conceptual transfer. Systematicness mandates the preservation of the discipline's conceptual architecture and logical hierarchies. Conciseness advocates for practical, economical lexical units suitable for professional discourse. Univocality (Identity) governs consistency, requiring a one-to-one concept-term relationship and consistent translation of term components. Conventionality respects established, widely accepted translations to maintain communicative continuity. Maintaining the Characteristics of Traditional Medicinenecessitates a "Foreignization" strategy to preserve unique scientific, philosophical, and cultural connotations, often through calque or controlled transliteration. Coordination requires alignment with existing authoritative standards (e.g., WHO, ISO) to minimize confusion and foster interoperability. Building on these principles, the framework proposes a pragmatic term classification dictating primary translation strategies. Terms with Direct Equivalents (e.g., basic anatomy) typically employ literal translation. Terms without Direct Equivalents, constituting most culture-specific terminology, are subdivided: Translatable Concepts use calque (literal translation of compounds), while Intranslatable or Conventionalized Concepts use controlled transliteration. Proper Nouns (e.g., names, titles) often require transliteration combined with explanatory elements ("combined translation"). The methodology also accommodates multiple translations for complex terms. In conclusion, traditional medicine terminology translation is a sophisticated, rule-governed activity intersecting linguistics, medicine, and cultural studies. It requires strategic navigation between foreignization and domestication. The principled application of this framework—balancing accurate conceptual correspondence with the preservation of the medical system's unique epistemological identity—is essential for producing standardized, reliable translations. This provides the terminological foundation necessary for the authentic global integration of traditional medical knowledge, ensuring it is shared with both precision and cultural respect.
