A Corpus-based Comparative Analysis of the English Translation of Terms Related to Tonifying Methods in Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM, as a traditional medical system, has attracted an increasing number of international attention for its unique therapeutic methods and theoretical system. To promote the international dissemination of TCM knowledge and technology, and ensure that medical practitioners in different cultural backgrounds can accurately understand and apply TCM, it is particularly important to translate and standardize TCM terms scientifically and reasonably. This study focuses on the translation differences of terms related to tonifying methods in the WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Chinese Medicine (WHO ISTTCM) and the Clinical Terminology of Traditional Chinese Medical Diagnosis and Treatment (CTTCMDT). The study found that the translated terminologies in WHO ISTTCM emphasize the simplicity and universality of translation, making it more suitable for the popularization needs of the international medical field. In contrast, the translated terminologies in CTTCMDT emphasize the integrity and cultural connotations of the TCM theoretical system, making it more suitable for academic research and the TCM professional field. The two standards show differences in verb selection, noun selection, semantic supplementation, translation strategies, and concept understanding in term translation. Furthermore, this study combines Skopos Theory to analyse the translation goals, linguistic coherence, logical coherence, and cultural coherence of the two standards. The research results show that although the two standards focus on different aspects of translation strategies, both have played a positive role in the international dissemination of TCM terminology. This study not only provides theoretical support for the international standardization of TCM term translation but also offers references for a deeper understanding of the cultural differences and semantic expressions in the translation of medical terminology. Future research should further integrate the advantages of the two standards to promote the unification and standardization of term translation, providing more efficient support for the international dissemination of TCM.