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China Terminology ›› 2025, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (4): 45-49.doi: 10.12339/j.issn.1673-8578.2025.04.007

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An Exploration of Strategies for the Chinese Translation of Disease Names in Zin tig che par btus pa bdud rtsi’i thigs pa (Clinical Notes of Tibetan Medicine)

Dekyi Dolma(), ZHEN Yan*(), LIU Dong(), Drolmakyab()   

  • Received:2025-03-19 Online:2025-07-06 Published:2025-07-06
  • Contact: ZHEN Yan

Abstract:

The standardized translation of Tibetan medical terms into Chinese is essential for the promotion of Tibetan medicine.Despite being a representative Tibetan medical literature from the 19th century, Zin tig che par btus pa bdud rtsi’i thigs pa (Clinical Notes of Tibetan Medicine) lacks a Chinese translation.Based on 22 representative disease names from the ancient literature, we establish a theoretical framework and methodology for translating Tibetan medical terms into Chinese.The four fundamental principles were put forward:conceptual equivalence, terminological systematicity, retention of cultural characteristics, and concise expression.Additionally, we categorized six translation strategies and their respective application conditions, including direct translation, paraphrasing, transliteration, combined translation, dual translation, and multiple translations.The result demonstrates that employing scientific and sound translation principles and methods ensures not only the accurate conveyance of terminological expertise but also adherence to Chinese language norms and conventions.By laying a terminological foundation for the comprehensive translation of Zin tig che par btus pa bdud rtsi’i thigs pa, the article aims to provide valuable methodological reference for translating Tibetan medical classics into Chinese.

Key words: disease names, Chinese translation strategies, Zin tig che par btus pa bdud rtsi’i thigs pa (Clinical Notes of Tibetan Medicine)