A study of Thai-Chinese Translation of Public Signs in Thai Medical Institutions

Abstract

The medical tourism industry in Thailand is an essential part of the country's tourism sector. Thailand has gained a strong reputation for its medical services and facilities, attracting a significant number of Chinese patients seeking medical treatment. In certain popular tourist cities, Thai medical institutions have begun incorporating Chinese signage and translation services to cater to Chinese patients' requirements. Nevertheless, the translation quality varies, resulting in inaccurate information dissemination or misunderstandings.

Therefore, this paper collects and analyzes Chinese public notices from medical institutions in the Bangkok area, drawing on domestic and international research experiences and findings related to public notices. It employs literature review, on-site investigation, and comparative analysis methods. The identified issues are classified into two main types: normative and accuracy. Furthermore, this paper conducts a classification analysis of translation errors and summarizes their underlying causes. The main reasons for non-standard translations include language differences, the absence of unified norms and standards, and ineffective review and supervision. Inaccurate translations, on the other hand, are primarily attributed to translator incompetence and inappropriate translation methods. To address these issues, specific recommendations have been proposed from the perspectives of education, management, and translators.