C-E Translation of Chinese Philosophical Concepts from the Perspective of Functional Equivalence

Abstract

Philosophical concepts are an essential component of cultural communication, serving as carriers of a nation’s worldview and intellectual tradition. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of Eugene Nida’s Functional Equivalence Theory in the Chinese-English translation of philosophical concepts. Taking Key Concepts in Chinese Thought and Culture: Philosophy as the case study, this research adopts a qualitative analytical method to examine how lexical and syntactic equivalence are realized in translation practice. The analysis reveals that, at the lexical level, strategies such as word class adjustment, isomorphic substitution, and explanatory translation help overcome cultural and semantic gaps. At the syntactic level, the use of kernel sentence restructuring and function-oriented translation effectively clarifies implicit logical relations in Chinese source texts. These approaches enable target readers to achieve a similar understanding and response as source readers. The study concludes that Functional Equivalence Theory provides a practical and effective framework for translating Chinese philosophical concepts, particularly in enhancing clarity, readability, and cultural transmission. However, limitations remain due to the complexity and interpretive openness of philosophical terms.