Hu Gengshen’s Translation Approach on TCM Terminology Translation

Accurate terminology translation is crucial for the global dissemination and comprehension of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This study addresses the pressing issue of inconsistent TCM terminology, which has led to significant confusion and misinterpretation among scholars and practitioners worldwide. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of Hu Gengshen’s theoretical framework in ensuring precise and culturally appropriate translations of TCM diagnostic method terms. Hu Gengshen’s framework emphasizes three essential dimensions of translation: communicative, linguistic, and cultural. The communicative dimension focuses on aligning translations with the target audience’s linguistic norms, ensuring the translated terms are accessible and understandable. The linguistic dimension preserves the original structure and style of TCM terminology while adapting it to the target language, maintaining technical accuracy. The cultural dimension guarantees that translations respect and reflect the original cultural context, enhancing cultural sensitivity and relevance. This study employs Hu Gengshen’s framework to assess translations from authoritative TCM sources. The analysis reveals that 146 out of 152 evaluated terms meet the rigorous standards set by the framework across all three dimensions. This finding demonstrates the framework’s effectiveness in producing accurate and culturally sensitive translations. The implications of this research are significant. By validating Hu Gengshen’s framework, the study provides a practical tool for improving the clarity and precision of TCM terminology in international academic and clinical contexts. This enhancement facilitates better global engagement with TCM practices, bridging communication gaps and fostering a deeper understanding of TCM principles and methodologies. The study highlights the framework’s value in addressing translation challenges and advancing the global dissemination of TCM.