近代西洋科学用語の中日貸借対照表

概要

論文の詳細を見る
We can study the translation of modern scientific terms into Chinese characters by constructing a conversion table of scientific terms between Chinese and Japanese languages as shown in the attached table. Furthermore, it is of considerable interest to contrast the cultural background of each term. Throughout the period of translation activities, there is a conspicuous difference between the Chinese and the Japanese in rendering new scientific concepts of Western origin into native languages. Namely, when the Japanese encountered newly-born Western terms, they render in phonetical kana without considering translation until the time when the term is employed for the use of general public in the mass media or in textboks. In the absence of phonetical representation, the Chinese have to try every possible way of translating words and then after a while these words converge to one standard translation word. This process takes some time, during which confusion is inevitable and still worse, people tend to be discouraged from trying to use newly imported scientific terms. As a result, the Chinese response to Western science is slow and sluggish in comparison to the Japanese quick response.
日本科学史学会の論文
1992-03-25