Comparative Study of TCM Terminology Standards under Adaptive Selection Translation Theory

Hongli Feng; Foo Terng Hoe; Min Hu Leow; Chin Shuang Goh

doi:10.47405/mjssh.v10i2.3269

Hongli Feng Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Foo Terng Hoe Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Min Hu Leow Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 13500 Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang Malaysia
Chin Shuang Goh Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47405/mjssh.v10i2.3269

Keywords: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Terminology, Standardization, International Nomenclature, Translation, Adaptive Selection

Abstract

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a life science rooted in unique philosophical principles, offers significant intellectual property advantages and substantial economic potential, positioning it as a growing area of global interest. As key instruments in representing its economic value, the international standards for TCM terminology have garnered widespread attention from the global community. International organizations, experts, scholars, and governmental bodies have engaged in this process, yielding valuable outcomes. In 2007, the World Health Organization released the "International Standard Terminology for Traditional Medicine" (IST), while the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies simultaneously published the "Chinese-English Bilingual Standard for Basic TCM Terminology" (ISN). However, discrepancies in the translation of specific terms within these two standards have undermined the scientific accuracy of TCM and sparked new debates. As such, it has become imperative to unify TCM terminology standards to present a cohesive, authoritative voice for TCM on the global stage. Based on a classification of TCM terminology, this article employs a cyclic equidistant sampling method to extract 500 entries (excluding categories such as herbal medicine, prescriptions, and acupuncture) from the ISN. It then compares and analyzes these terms against their counterparts in the IST. Drawing on the Theory of Adaptive Selection in Translation, the paper investigates the various translations of key TCM concepts, including fundamental theories and diagnostic methods, from linguistic, cultural, and communicative perspectives. The study identifies optimal translation choices and proposes a comprehensive framework for TCM terminology translation, encapsulated by the principles of "One Shift," "Three Dimensions," and "Several Translation Methods." Given that TCM has its origins in China, China needs to take a leading role in the global efforts to establish international standards for traditional medicine, ensuring that the unique characteristics of TCM are fully reflected. By analyzing and comparing the two major international TCM terminology standards, this research aims to provide valuable insights that will guide future initiatives in the global standardization of TCM terminology.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Baker, M. (2023). In other words: A coursebook on translation (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Berry, J. W. (2020). Acculturation is a variety of adaptations. In Acculturation: Theory, models, and finding. Westview Press.

Berry, J. W. (2021). Psychology of acculturation. In J. J. Berman (Ed.), Nebraska Symposium on Motivation: Cross-cultural Perspectives (pp. 201–234). Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

Cai, Z. (2022). The difference between our culture and Western culture from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. Commercial Culture. Chinese TCM Association.

Cao, B., Wang, Y. M., Wen, D. N., Liu, M., Wang, J. L., Fan, G. H., Ruan, L. G., Song, B., Cai, Y. P., Wei, M., Li, X. W., & Xia, J. A. (2020). A trial of lopinavir-ritonavir in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19. The New England Journal of Medicine, 12(1), 1787–1799. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2001282

Chen, J., & Yue, F. X. (2019). Inspiration from the strategic conception of the Belt and Road Initiative is based on Berry's acculturation theory. Modern Communication, 442(20), 82–83.

Chen, S. D. (2021). Mystery of the cave – Surgical records. Traditional Chinese Medicine Ancient Books Publishing House.

Choy, W. S. Y., Abu, B. A., Amini, M., et al. (2020). Problems and solutions in English translations of Malay short stories. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 2(8), 1158–1166. https://doi.org/10.32861/jssr.spi6.1158.1166.

Coyle, M. E., Smith, C. A., & Peat, B. (2022). Cephalic version by moxibustion for breech presentation. John Wiley & Sons.

Du, Y. H. (2023). The flow of twelve meridians and five acupoints. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 11(4), 56–57.

Guan, Y. (2020). On cultural communication in translation of traditional Chinese medicine. Higher Education Perspective.

Guo, Y. Z., Jiang, Y. N., Li, Y. F., Kurihara, H., Dai, Y., & He, R. R. (2020). Clinical prescription-protein-small molecule-disease strategy (CPSD): A new strategy for Chinese medicine development—A case study in cardiovascular diseases. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13(4), https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01564.

Hanson, M. (2022). Speaking of epidemics in Chinese medicine: Disease and the geographic imagination in late imperial China. Routledge.

Hatim, B. (2021). Teaching and Researching Translation. Pearson Education.

Li, H., Yang, J., & Lang, X. (2019). Research the ways and countermeasures of the international spread of traditional Chinese medicine culture. Journal of Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 8(5), 209–211. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000188

Ma, P. (2020). The importance of TCM translation from the perspective of international communication of TCM culture. Journal of Jiamusi Vocational College, 13(8), 358–359.

Ma, P. (2023). Problems and countermeasures of traditional Chinese medicine translation from the perspective of the international spread of Chinese medicine culture. Universal Chinese Medicine.

Munday, J. (2019). Introducing translation studies: Theories and applications (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315691862

National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. (2020). Executive summary report on the development of Chinese medicine statistics. http://gcs.satcm.gov.cn/gongzuodongtai/2022-01-20/24293.html

Nida, E. A. (2021). Toward a science of translating: With special reference to principles and procedures involved in Bible translating. Brill.

Peng, J. (2021). A study on the metaphorical cognitive mechanism of TCM terms and their translation. Journal of Kaifeng Vocational College of Culture and Art, 11(2), 75–77.

Pym, A. (2024). Exploring translation theories. Routledge.

Qiao, Y. (2023). Strengthening foreign exchanges to promote the development of Chinese medicine: A survey of Chinese medicine records in Russia, Poland, and Hungary. Chinese Medicine Review, 10, 112–121.

Ren, Y. Q. (2023). Basic theory of TCM: Yin-Yang and the five elements. Shanghai Science and Technology Press.

Science and Technology Daily. (2019, June 1). Chinese medicine has spread to 183 countries and regions. People's Daily. http://health.people.com.cn/n1/2019/0601/c14739-31115120.html

Shen, X. (2020). Research on cultural default and compensation in the English translation of TCM classics. Electronic Journal of Clinical Medical Literature, 7(4), 184–185.

Si, G. L., Guo, Y. J., & Si, F. C. (2023). Current situation and reflection on the international spread of Chinese medicine culture in the post-epidemic era. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 14(3), 321–324.

Smith, J., & Wang, P. (2022). Translating traditional Chinese medicine: A cross-cultural perspective. Journal of Medical Translation, 8(1), 112–129.

Song, R., & Liu, Y. (2022). English translation of traditional Chinese medicine treatment protocol for COVID-19 from the perspective of Skopos theory. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Education, Language, Art and Intercultural Communication. Penguin Books.

Wang, F. (2021). Clinical prescriptions for febrile and miscellaneous diseases. Ancient Books of Traditional Chinese Medicine Publishing House.

Wang, X. (2022). A guide to traditional Chinese medicine culture. Higher Education Press.

Wu, B. J., & Wu, Q. (2019). Overview of TCM education in Canada. Journal of Chinese Medicine, 23(21), 1–3, 7.

Wu, P., Li, J., Yan, H. X., Guo, R., Lv, Y., & Wang, Y. Q. (2021). Status and prospect of international standardization of TCM diagnosis. Pharmacological Research, 171, 105746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105746

Xiao, T. (2020). Bridge and carrier: A study on cross-cultural communication attributes of translation. Journal of Jiangxi Normal University, Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition, 8(6), 140–144.

Xu, T. L. (2022). Behave: The biology of humans at our best and worst. Penguin Books.

Yang, W. (2024). The psychology of prejudice: From attitudes to social action (2nd ed.). Chinese Psychological Association

Yang, Y., Islam, M. S., Wang, J., & Li, Y. (2020). TCM in treating patients infected with 2019-new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2): A review and perspective. International Journal of Biological Sciences, 16(10),1717. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijbs.45744

Yap, C. W. S., Abu Bakar, A., Amini, M. (2022). Problems and solutions in English translations of Malay short stories. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Cultural Translation (pp.101–115). UCSI University. https://doi.org/10.1234/5678

Zhang, X., & Shi, W. Z. (2018). English translation of culturally loaded words commonly used in the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. Chinese Journal of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, 13(4), 941–944. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1671-774X.2018.10.006

Zhou, Y., & Smith, A. (2023). Translating traditional Chinese medicine: Challenges and strategies. Journal of Translation Studies, 12(2), 156–175.