Specificities of translation of some terms of the Russian religious philosophy of the XXI century into Chinese language

Abstract

This article reviews the translation of some terms of the Russian religious philosophy of the XXI century into Chinese language. The goal consists in determination of the fundamental principles used by the Chinese translators in compiling the borrowed terminology in the indicated field. The article explores the Chinese analogues of some terms of the Russian religious philosophy. Special attention is turned to the terms of God and soul. Analysis is conducted on the translated texts of the lectures of S. S. Khoruzhiy “Synergistic Anthropology and Russian Philosophy" on the subject of the frequency of using 神 и 上帝as Chinese analogues of the term of God. An important role in the research is played by the interview with the researcher and translator of theRussian religious philosophy Professor Zhang Baichun on translation of the terms of God, soul, etc. into Chinese languahe, as well nuances of application of Chinese analogues of isolated terms from the perspective of the native Chinese speaker. It is demonstrated that Chinese analogues of the terms of God and soul in religious texts do not fully coincide with such in the philosophical texts. Namely, the Orthodox translators recommend the use上帝for nomination of God, while Chinese translators of the Russian religious philosophy allow using both versions depending on personal preferences and linguistic habits. For the translators of philosophical texts, the equivalent versions of the terms soul in the Glossary of Orthodox Terminology 灵魂 и 心灵 are divided into religious and secular analogues. The article also indicates other terms of Russian philosophy, which are translated using the techniques of transcription, calquing, and semantic translation.