Translation variations under legal constraints in the packaging information of traditional Chinese herbal medicine sold in Malaysia

• Liu, Yi ^[3] ; Yang, Qiuling ^[1] ; Hu, Yun ^[2]
  1. [1] Universiti Putra Malaysia

     Universiti Putra Malaysia

     Malasia

     
  2. [2] Nanjing Medical University

     Nanjing Medical University

     China

     
  3. [3] College of Foreign Studies, Guangdong Baiyun University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China;b Faculty of Modern Languages and Communication, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

  Mostrar afiliaciones +
• Localización: International journal of multilingualism, ISSN 1479-0718, Vol. 23, Nº. 1, 2026, págs. 973-1000
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1080/14790718.2025.2537184
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Chinese-English pharmaceutical-packaging translation facilitates the dissemination and acceptance of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) within the multilingual and multicultural context of Malaysia. However, awareness of TCMs beyond the Chinese community remains limited due to major factors including legal constraints imposed by drug regulatory authorities and challenges in translating product names and indications. Therefore, this article investigates the translation of packaging information for TCMs sold in Malaysia, where multiple cultures and languages interact. The study anchors itself on the translation procedures proposed by Vinay and Darbelnet (Citation1958/1995). The article adopts a descriptive and comparative approach based on a sample of 36 TCM products obtained from the official websites of two local pharmacies. It reflects on how the legal requirements of the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) impact what can or cannot be included in packaging. In essence, it examines how translation decisions are influenced by legal constraints and discusses the value of different translation approaches in light of these constraints. The significance of studying TCM translation under legal constraints in a specific market lies in ensuring regulatory compliance, safeguarding consumer safety, facilitating market access, preserving cultural sensitivity, and upholding professional standards and ethical practices within the Chinese-English pharmaceutical-packaging translation practice.

• Referencias bibliográficas
  • Amenador, K. B., & Wang, Z. (2022). The translation of culture-specific items (CSIs) in Chinese-English food menu corpus: A study of strategies...
  • Askehave, I., & Zethsen, K. (2014). A comparative analysis of the lay-friendliness of Danish EU patient information leaflets from 2000...
  • Chen, Y.-C. (2013). Translation procedures adopted for translating Chinese empty words into English. Babel. Revue Internationale de La Traduction...
  • Chen, T. (2023). Yongbao Shijie de Zhongyiyao [Traditional Chinese medicine embracing the world]. Guangming Ribao, 1–3.
  • Cheng, Y., & Glynn, D. (2022). Legal constraints and translation variations: The packaging information of plant-based traditional Chinese...
  • Chesterman, A. (1997). Ethics of translation. In M. Snell-Hornby, Z. Jettmarová, & K. Kaindl (Eds.), Translation as intercultural communication:...
  • CommonLII. (2019). Constitution of Malaysia 1957 - Part XII. Commonlii.org. http://www.commonlii.org/my/legis/const/1957/12.html
  • Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). Sage.
  • Cyranoski, D. (2018). Why Chinese medicine is heading for clinics around the world. Nature, 561(7724), 448–450. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-06782-7
  • Department of Statistics Malaysia. (2024). Department of Statistics Malaysia. Www.dosm.gov.my(open in a new window). https://www.dosm.gov.my/portal-main/release-content/demographic-statistics-fourth-quarter-2023
  • Dimitriu, R. (2004). Omission in translation. Perspectives, 12(3), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676x.2004.9961499
  • Eu Yan Sang. (n.d.). Eu Yan Sang Official Store | Online Traditional Healthcare: Wellness, Modern, Supplement & More. www.euyansang.com.my(open...
  • Glynn, D. (2021). Outline of a theory of non-translation. Across Languages and Cultures, 22(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1556/084.2021.00001
  • Guang, S. (2009). Zhong yi yao shu yu ying yu fan yi Yuan ze di que li wen ti tan tao [Establishment of English translation principles for...
  • Hatim, B., & Munday, J. (2004). Translation an advanced resource book. Routledge.
  • Hong, T. Z. (2018). Challenges in learning and understanding traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Open Access Journal of Complementary...
  • Huang, R., & Zhao, M. (2021). A skopos theory-based study of translation principles of traditional Chinese medicine decoctions. Journal...
  • Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia. (2015). National health and morbidity survey 2015...
  • Jiang, L. (2002). Zhongyaoming Ji Qi Gongxiaoyu De Hanying Fanyi [Chinese-English translation of Chinese medicine names and their efficacies]....
  • Kumar, S., Rajiah, K., Veettil, S. K., & Wei, N. S. (2015). A cross-sectional study on knowledge and attitude toward traditional Chinese...
  • Li, Z. (1996). Zhongyi Shuyu Yingyi de Yuanze yu Fangfa [principles and methods of English translation of Chinese medicine terms]. Zhongguo...
  • Li, Z. (2010). 1995 he 1997 Zhongyi Guojia Biaozhun de Yingyu Fanyi Wenti Tantao [A discussion of English translation of 1995 and 1997 Chinese...
  • Li, X., Cui, Y., & Cao, J. (2013). Shiyong Linchuang Zhongyaoxue (Zhongchengyao Bufen) [Practical Clinical Chinese Materia Medica (Chinese...
  • Lim, L., Chen, P., & Wang, V. X. (2022). Translating TCM nomenclature into English: A bilingual reference tool needed for clinical practice....
  • Lin, A. X., Chan, G., Hu, Y., Ouyang, D., Ung, C. O. L., Shi, L., & Hu, H. (2018). Internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine:...
  • Lin, Y., & Zhou, Y. M. (2012). Mudilun Zhidaoxia De Zhongyiyao Shuomingshu Hanying Fanyi Biaozhun He Ce Lve [Chinese-English Translation...
  • Liu, M., Wang, S., & Huang, S. M. (2017). Zhongyao Yaopin Yingwen Shuomingshu Gongneng Zhuzhi Bufen Zhuanxie De Tansuoxing Yanjiu [exploring...
  • Malaysia. (2013). Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2013 (Act 756). Laws of Malaysia. https://i-lib.imu.edu.my/pluginfile.php/585/mod_page/content/2/Traditional%20and%20Complementary%20Medicine%20Act%202013.pdf
  • Mohiuddin, S., Aziz, S., Ahmed, R., Shaikh Ghadzi, S., Iqbal, M., & Iqbal, M. (2021). Use of traditional Chinese medicine in Malaysia:...
  • Montalt, V., Korning Zethsen, K., & Karwacka, W. (2018). La traducció mèdica al segle XXI - reptes i tendències. MonTi: Monografías de...
  • Munday, J., Pinto, S. R., & Blakesley, J. (2022). Introducing translation studies: Theories and applications. (5th ed.). Routledge.
  • National Food and Drug Administration (2017). Technical guidelines for the naming of generic names of proprietary Chinese medicines (Policy,...
  • National People’s Congress. (2001). Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language.
  • National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency. (2023a). DRUG REGISTRATION GUIDANCE DOCUMENT (DRGD). https://www.npra.gov.my/easyarticles/images/users/1153/DRGD%20October%202023/Complete-Drug-Registration-Guidance-Document-DRGD-3rd-Edition-6th-Revision-October-2023.pdf
  • National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency. (2023b). National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) - Home. National Pharmaceutical Regulatory...
  • Nord, C. (1997). Translating as a purposeful activity: Functionalist approaches explained. Routledge.
  • Norova Mavluda Fayzulloyevna. (2022). Pseudo-internationalisms in medical translation. American Journal of Social Sciences and Humanity Research,...
  • Pan, H., & Zhang, S. (2019). English translation of health-preserving terms in Huangdi Neijing from the perspective of Skopos theories....
  • Pharmacopoeia Commission of the People's Republic of China. (2020). Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese Medical Science...
  • Pierre-Louis Lezotre, (2014). International cooperation, convergence, and harmonization of pharmaceutical regulations: A global perspective....
  • Quan, X. J., Chen, S. X., & Dong, N. (2021). Jiyu Gongneng Duideng Lilun De Zhongyao Shuomingshu Yingyi Yanjiu – Yi Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang...
  • Schjoldager, A., Gottlieb, H., & Klitgård, I. (2008). Understanding translation. Academica.
  • Shi, W. (2017). Translation of Chinese patent medicine names from the perspective of Skopos theories. News and Writing.
  • Song, G. (2020). Conflicts and complexities: A study of Hong Kong’s bilingual street signs from functional perspective on translation. Journal...
  • Sung Khong. (n.d.). 顺康SungKhong - 马来西亚中药材补品连锁店, 全马最低价无硫磺药材，滋补海味，品质保证. Sungkhong.com.my. Retrieved December 25, 2023, from https://www.sungkhong.com.my/
  • Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division. (2018). Official Portal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division - Practice Guideline....
  • Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division. (2024). Official Portal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Division - Traditional...
  • Traditional Chinese medicine needs proper scrutiny. (2017). Nature, 551(7682), 541–541. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-017-07650-6
  • Unschuld, P. U. (2003). Huang Di nei jing su wen: Nature, knowledge, imagery in an ancient Chinese medical text, with an appendix, the doctrine...
  • Unschuld, P. U. (2010). Medicine in China: A history of ideas. University Of California Press.
  • Vinay, J. P., & Darbelnet, J. (1958/1995). Comparative Stylistics of French and English: A Methodology for Translation, translated by...
  • Wang, W.-Y., Zhou, H., Wang, Y.-F., Sang, B.-S., & Liu, L. (2021). Current policies and measures on the development of traditional Chinese...
  • Wiseman, N. (2023). Nigel Wiseman: Modern texts, classics, terminology, and language-learning material. Chinese Medicine and Culture, 7(1),...
  • World Health Organisation. (2007). WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine. World Health Organisation.
  • World Health Organisation. (2022). WHO international standard terminologies on traditional Chinese medicine. World Health Organisation.
  • Ye, X., & Dong, M. (2017). A review on different English versions of an ancient classic of Chinese medicine: Huang Di Nei Jing. Journal...
  • Yee, S.-K., Chu, S.-S., Xu, Y.-M., & Choo, P.-L. (2005). Regulatory control of Chinese proprietary medicines in Singapore. Health Policy,...
  • Zhang, N., & Dong, M. (2020). Translation strategies of traditional Chinese medicine terms from the perspective of cross-culture communication....
  • Zhuang, J., & Zhang, L. (2001). Reflections on the presentation of functions and indications of proprietary Chinese medicines. China Journal...
  • Zou, D. (2015). Zhongyiyao Yingyu Fanyi Yuanze yu Biaozhun Yanjiu [Principles and standards of English translation of traditional Chinese...