翻出社區
Community Connect
翻譯與中醫——「譯」醫「譯」友
Translation and TCM — Trans“Heal”, Trans“Feel”
中醫，是中國傳統文化瑰寶。自古時起，我們的祖先嘗遍各種草藥，漸漸明白了有的吃了會中毒，有的吃了卻能治病救人，這便是中醫的雛形。自先秦以降，無數偉大的醫師一一湧現——無論是漢末三國的華佗、張仲景、大唐的孫思邈，還是宋代的錢乙、明代之李時珍，乃至現代醫院、診所裏的中醫師們，他們都是醫者仁心，為百姓、社會貢獻良多，他們筆下的許多醫學典著都舉足輕重、彌足珍貴。於是如何將這些瑰寶發揚光大就成了一門重大學問，而在推廣中醫文化的這條大道上，翻譯就是其上的指路牌，是不可忽視的一環。
在悠長的中醫歷史長河中，孕育出了許多特殊的、專有的述語，這正是翻譯中醫典籍比較難的一處，比如灸法、熱石這樣的治法術語、專有名詞，他們的能指與所指未必是直接的，或者是一些比較抽象的概念，如何去形容他們，就成了翻譯者的一大難題。
然而，正因如此，這次與中醫師們合作，翻譯中醫文化的過程反而也是翻譯者的良師益友，同學們在此期間，不僅僅能嘗試新的挑戰，學習、鍛鍊不同翻譯技巧，使自己融會貫通，亦能接觸與了解更多的傳統文化，比如中醫典籍、歷史等等，增潤自己、熏陶自己，讓翻譯視野變得更開闊；道路變得更寬敞；思維拋去了侷限。故此，這樣的機會不僅僅只是一份工作，更是譯者們之益友，傳揚中醫文化的同時，亦能促進翻譯的成長，彼此間相輔相成。
One of the treasures of traditional Chinese culture is traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Originating from our ancestors’ ancient practice of experimenting with various herbs, gradually learning that some are toxic while others can heal. Since the pre-Qin era, there were numerous great physicians, such as Hua Tuo and Zhang Zhongjing in the late Han and Three Kingdoms era, Sun Simiao in the Tang Dynasty, Qian Yi in the Song Dynasty, and the TCM practitioners in the modern day hospitals and clinics. These physicians are motivated by passion and commitment to the welfare of the society. Many of the medical texts they wrote remain influential and invaluable. Therefore, the question of how to popularise these treasures has become a desirable pursuit, and on the path of popularizing the TCM culture, translation is a necessity, as well as a road sign in the journey.
Throughout the ancient history of TCM, numerous unique and specialized terminology has been created, and this is one of the difficult aspects of translating TCM classics. Such terms as moxibustion or hot stone—methods of treatment and proper nouns are not always immediately literal. Others are abstract notions and explaining them becomes a major problem to the translators.
Yet, it is exactly due to this that the task of translating TCM culture in cooperation with TCM practitioners is not only a challenge but also an excellent educator and companion of translators. In such work, students do not only acquire new challenges and learn and use different translation methods, having a more integrated view, but also get in contact with and understand the traditional culture more, such as TCM classics and history. This enriches and cultivates them, broadening their perspective on translation, widening their path, and freeing their thinking from limitations. Thus, these opportunities are not only a job, but also a positive ally of translators. As they advance the culture of TCM, they also advance the translator—they complete and enrich each other.