Exploring ethical issues in the Chinese translation of medical terms: The convergence of translation ethics and medical ethics

Abstract

This article explores the ethical aspects of translating medical terminology into English, with a particular emphasis on the joint influence of medical ethics and translation ethics. This study identified four key issues in current translation practice through the analysis of various cases from the perspective of Chestermans five kinds of translation ethics, including representation ethics, service ethics, communication ethics, norm-based ethics, and commitment ethics. The four issues involve discrimination, superstition, contempt, and overgeneralization. These issues may hinder the provision of appropriate medical services and social acceptance by fueling social stigma, public misunderstandings, and negative perceptions of diseases. This study suggests that medical translation is not only about language conversion, but also involves considerations of cultural, ethical, and social factors. This article attempts to provide practical advice for medical translators and healthcare workers by combining medical ethics with translation ethics. It suggests that future research should prioritize interdisciplinary collaboration to improve ethical standards in medical translation and promote more accurate and respectful descriptions of diseases in different cultures.