Abstract: This paper discusses the principle of identity for the standardization of English terminology in Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology in terms of the link between identity and monosemy, and the priority of identity to back translation. We propose that identity and monosemy share common ground as they are both based on establishing a one-to-one relationship between concept and standard terminology, although they aim at different languages. While identity and back translation cannot collaborate in instructing the standardization of terminology, identity should take the priority. For terminology with no special structures, the English equivalents should be adopted as standard terminology.

Key words: Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology, English terminology, identity, standardization