A Discussion On Shanghanlun’s Translation In Multi-text From The Eco-translatological Perspective

Shanghanlun is the first medical book in China which specializes in differentiation treatment and combines the medicine, prescriptions, treatment principles and treatment methods together. Zhang Zhongjing, the author of Shanghanlun, systematically summarizes the medical experience before Han dynasty and adds his own clinical experience in this book. For its great value, Shanghanlun is crowned as the "ancestor of books about prescriptions" and is treated as Bible in people who learn Chinese medicine.In term of Shanghanlun’s important status in Chinese medicine, its translation is significant for the transmission of Chinese medicine in the world. The previous study on Shanghanlun’s translation focuses on its English version, but some other books also mention the content of Shanghanlun and indirectly promote the transmission of Shanghanlun in the world. As this angle of study is seldom noticed, this paper chooses the new angle and the study material includes two literal works, two Chinese medicine textbooks and one Chinese medicine English dictionary besides two English versions of Shanghanlun. The literature approach, interdisciplinary study approach and descriptive research approach are all adopted in this study. As to the theoretical significance, this paper chooses the Eco-translatological theory as guide theory which can provide new theoretical research way for the study on Shanghanlun’s translation. As to the practical significance, this paper extensively chooses research material and therefore the rules summarize from the analysis of material are persuasive and can provide new research method for the translation of Chinese medicine classical books.After the study, the following results are obtained:1. Follow the three translation principles(1) The translator’s translation purpose determines his translation methods and strategies which the translator adopts. Translator is the centre of translation and we should allow the diversity in translation and seek the common characteristics.(2) In the translation of Shanghanlun, transformations should be made on the language, culture and communication aspects. Specifically, the changes should be made in language form, cultural connotation and communication purpose.(3) The translation should also show the harmony between the translator and other factors in the Eco-translatological environment which includes the harmony between the translator and the translation, original text and the reader.2. For Chinese herbal medicine’s translation, different translation method should be combined.(1)For Chinese herbal medicine’s translation, both its pinyin and English name should be translated.(2)For prescription name’s translation, the pronunciation translation and free translation should be combined together and the explanatory translation can be the supplementary translation method.(3)For symptoms’translation, literal translation is the main translation method and adding-word translation and omitting-word translation can be the supplementary translation method.(4)For the translation of diseases’names in Chinese medicine, the names in western medicine can be borrowed if they are the same disease.(5)For unique disease’s name and concept only exist in Chinese medicine, pronunciation translation and literal translation can both be adopted to maintain their uniqueness.