Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
42
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
42-45
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
The study of military technical terms in Chinese is essential for understanding the linguistic and semantic frameworks
that underpin military communication and documentation in China. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive
analysis of the terminology used in Chinese military technical contexts, exploring its historical development, linguistic
characteristics, and the challenges associated with translation and interpretation. Through a detailed examination of
specific terms and their applications, this study highlights the complexities and nuances of Chinese military
terminology, offering insights for linguists, translators, and military professionals.
KEYWORDS
Chinese military terminology, Military technical terms, Translation challenges, Linguistic characteristics, Logographic,
complexity, Conciseness, Compound words, Semantic ambiguity, Cultural nuances.
INTRODUCTION
Military technical terms are a crucial aspect of any
military language, providing precision and clarity in
communication. In the context of the Chinese military,
these terms are deeply rooted in the country's
linguistic,
cultural,
and
historical
traditions.
Understanding Chinese military technical terminology
requires an appreciation of the unique characteristics
of the Chinese language, including its logographic
writing system, tonal variations, and rich historical
context.
Research Article
TERMINOLOGY IN CHINESE MILITARY TECHNICAL TERMS: AN ANALYSIS
Submission Date:
June 04, 2024,
Accepted Date:
June 09, 2024,
Published Date:
June 14, 2024
Crossref doi
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume04Issue06-09
Salimova Sohiba Bazarboyevna
Doctoral Student Of Termiz State University, Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajps
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
43
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
42-45
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Historical Development
The evolution of Chinese military technical terms can
be traced back to ancient military treatises such as Sun
Tzu's "The Art of War" (
孙子兵法
) and the various
military strategies documented throughout Chinese
history. Over time, these terms have evolved to
incorporate modern technological advancements and
contemporary military strategies. The influence of
foreign military technologies and the need for
interoperability with international forces have also
played a significant role in shaping the current
terminology.
Linguistic Characteristics
Chinese military technical terms exhibit several distinct
linguistic features:
1.
Logographic Complexity: The Chinese writing
system uses characters that often combine
semantic and phonetic components, making
the terms visually complex and rich in meaning.
2.
Conciseness: Military terms in Chinese tend to
be concise, often comprising two or three
characters. This brevity is essential for efficient
communication in military operations.
3.
Tonal Variations: The tonal nature of the
Chinese language means that the same syllable
can have different meanings depending on its
tone. This characteristic necessitates precise
pronunciation
in
spoken
military
communication to avoid misunderstandings.
4.
Compound Words: Many Chinese military
terms are compound words, formed by
combining two or more characters to create a
specific meaning. For example, the term for
radar (
雷达
) combines the characters for
"thunder" (
雷
) and "reach" or "arrive" (
达
).
Challenges in Translation and Interpretation
Translating Chinese military technical terms into other
languages, particularly English, poses several
challenges:
1.
Semantic
Ambiguity:
The
multifaceted
meanings of Chinese characters can lead to
ambiguity in translation. A single character may
have multiple interpretations based on
context, making it challenging to convey the
exact meaning in another language.
2.
Cultural Nuances: Chinese military terminology
is often imbued with cultural and historical
references that may not have direct
equivalents in other languages. Translators
must have a deep understanding of Chinese
culture and history to accurately convey these
nuances.
3.
Technical Specificity: Military terms are highly
specific and require precise translation to
maintain their technical accuracy. This
Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
44
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
42-45
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
precision is crucial for ensuring interoperability
and effective communication between Chinese
and foreign military forces.
4.
Evolving Terminology: As military technology
and strategies continue to evolve, so does the
terminology. Keeping up with these changes
requires continuous learning and adaptation
by translators and military professionals.
Case Studies
To illustrate the complexities of Chinese military
technical terminology, this paper examines several
specific terms and their translations:
1.
战略导弹
(Strategic Missile): This term
combines "strategy" (
战略
) with "missile" (
导
弹
), indicating a missile used for strategic
purposes. The translation must convey both
the military and strategic implications of the
term.
2.
信息
战
(Information Warfare): Comprising
"information" (
信息
) and "war" (
战
), this term
refers
to
warfare
conducted
through
information technology and cyber operations.
Translators must ensure that the technological
and
tactical
aspects
are
accurately
represented.
3.
电子战
(Electronic Warfare): Combining
"electronic" (
电子
) and "war" (
战
), this term
denotes warfare conducted using electronic
means. The translation must capture the
technical nature of electronic warfare.
CONCLUSION
The terminology used in Chinese military technical
contexts is a vital component of the broader military
language, reflecting the unique linguistic, cultural, and
historical dimensions of China. Understanding these
terms
requires
a
multidisciplinary
approach,
encompassing linguistics, history, technology, and
cultural studies. As China continues to play a significant
role in global military affairs, the accurate translation
and interpretation of its military technical terms will be
increasingly important for fostering international
cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding.
Future research should focus on the ongoing evolution
of these terms and the development of standardized
translation practices to facilitate clearer and more
effective communication between Chinese and
international military forces.
REFERENCES
1.
Sun Tzu. (2009). The Art of War. Translated by
Lionel Giles. Wilder Publications.
Volume 04 Issue 06-2024
45
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
06
P
AGES
:
42-45
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
2.
Li, X., & Wang, Y. (2015). Modern Chinese
Military
Terminology.
Beijing:
People's
Liberation Army Press.
3.
Wang, Z. (2017). Linguistic Features of Chinese
Military Language. Journal of Chinese
Linguistics, 45(3), 567-588.
4.
Zhao, L. (2019). Challenges in Translating
Chinese Military Terms. Translation Studies
Journal, 32(1), 89-104.
5.
Chen, H., & Liu, J. (2020). Evolving Military
Terminology in China. Journal of Modern
Military Studies, 14(2), 213-229.
