On English Translation Of TCM Disease Terms In Jingui Yaolue From The Perspective Of Functional Equivalence Theory

Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)classics,important representatives of TCM culture,are the painstaking efforts of medical practitioners of different generations.In the course of cross-cultural communication of TCM culture,TCM translation,especially that of TCM classics,is extremely important.Jingui Yaolue,one of the TCM classics,is crowned as " the foundation of all Chinese prescription books",theref-ore research of its English translations is of great significance.Translators build bridges between different cultures,connecting source language authors and target language readers by translation,aiming to achieve cross-cultural communication.TCM disease terms embody TCM culture in Jingui Yaolue,accurate and acceptable translation of which will help target readers understand TCM culture connotation.This research,from the perspective of functional equivalence theory,compared and summarized characteristics of TCM disease terms in two complete translation versions of Jingui Yaolue,hoping to serve as a reference for studies on translation of TCM disease terms in TCM classics.The main idea of this thesis is as follows:Confirmation of TCM disease terms in Jingui Yaolue:(1)extracting TCM disease terms from text titles;(2)selecting TCM disease terms according to marker words.Research on the English translation of TCM disease terms in Jingui Yaolue:classifying TCM disease terms singled out in the book into different groups,detecting corresponding translation of these names in two different English versions(by Li Zhaoguo,short for Li's;and Nigel Wiseman,short for Wei's),then comparing and analysing their connotation and semantic logic under the guidance of functional equivalence theory.Results:133 TCM disease terms were chosen and divided into five categories,after random sampling,41 names were singled out for final research.(1)In general,literal translation is the main method adopted both by Li's and Wei's.In Li's literal translation method is adapted for 66 disease terms,free translation for 27,combined translation for 16,while,20 disease terms are translated in western medical terms,and 4 in general English.In Wei's,literal translation method is adapted for 89 disease terms,free translation for 10,combined translation for 12,while,18 disease terms are translated in western medical terms,and 4 in general English.(2)Both versions adopt various translation methods to help target readers understand TCM disease terms.Nevertheless,some terms are translated inaccurately because of words misusing words.In comparison,Li's use more free translation method making cultual connotation more understandable for target readersConclusion:To translate TCM disease terms in Jingui Yaolue,translators should fully understand their connotations.If the connotation of a disease term is shared in both cultures,translators should use its corresponding western medical term.If an equivalent in English cannot be found,translators should try their best to use properly other kinds of translation methods,such as literal translation,free translation and combined translation as well to better serve target readers.