《黄帝内经》神机 气立的术语英译研究

Research on English Translation of the Terms "Shenji" and "Qili" in The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic

目的 探究《黄帝内经》中“神机”“气立”的术语内涵,对比分析不同英译本,对该组术语在实际语境中的翻译方法进行研究并提出相关建议,为今后译者翻译中医药文化负载词提供参考思路。方法 通过文献分析,综述“神机”“气立”的实际内涵,并基于此对比分析李照国,文树德,与吴连胜、吴奇父子三者的《黄帝内经》英译本,结合各家所长,提出相关翻译建议与术语所在语境的参考译本。结果 神机气立学说与新陈代谢理论相仿,但“气立”侧重于描述生物存在的外在条件和外在表现,而“神机”侧重描述生物存在的内在条件和内在本质。基于对术语内涵的探究,可以发现有的译本存在误译,但不同译本也各有所长。结论 中医药文化术语翻译在实际应用当中不仅要表达出术语自身的含义,还应结合实际语境进行灵活调整。

Objective To explore the meaning of the terms "Shenji" and "Qili" in The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic,and find out proper ways to translate the terms in specific sentences through comparing different English versions of the book.Methods This paper summarizes the meaning of "Shenji" and "Qili",based on which,three English versions of The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic by Li Zhaoguo,by Unschuld & Tessenow,as well as by Wu Liansheng and Wu Qi are compared and analyzed.With advantages of each version,suggested translations in specific contexts will be given.Results The theory of Shenji and Qili is similar to the theory of metabolism in Western medicine,but "Qili" puts emphasis on the external living conditions and manifestations of beings,while "Shenji" puts emphasis on the internal conditions and essence of beings.Based on the meaning of terms,it can be found that there are mistranslations in some versions of The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic,but different versions have their own advantages.Conclusion To translate the terms embodying the culture of traditional Chinese medicine requires translators to not only express the exact meaning of terms,but also modify according to the specific context.