Abstract: The paper presents a tender idea about the use and understanding of the Chinese version of linguistics terms. It argues that it is no doubt that the unification of the Chinese version of the terms is ideal, but the realization of the ideal should allow the coexistence of the different versions of the terms because the unification of the terms emerges from actual uses, as well as through choices and entrenchment. As for the understanding of the Chinese version of the terms in linguistics, the paper suggests that the correction and revision of the Chinese version of linguistics terms must make a reference to the original terms rather than their Chinese versions.

Key words: terms in English linguistics, Chinese translation, use, understanding