English Term System of Terni Religion (Semasiological and Derivational Considerations)

Abstract

The study is devoted to the problem of adequate choice and use of linguistic means for translating into English the key philosophical, ethical and conceptual foundations of the Tenri religion (Japanese: Tenri-kyo / 天ç†æ•™ /), one of the most ancient religions among the so-called "new" syncretic religions of modern Japan. The main goal of the research is to analyze the adequacy of the English translation of the system of religious terms, once created by the initiator of this teaching; Linguistic analysis and comparison were used as methods. During the study, the following results were obtained: authors have defined and illustrated with specific examples the key trend followed during the translation into English of the terminology inherent in the canonical Tenri religion texts, in particular Ofudesaki. Overall, the analysis of Japanese religious terms shows that Nakayama Miki’s efforts have brought to life a pretty clear and logical term system of a new religion, which, at the same time, heavily attracted ordinary residents of the Japanese islands with its poetry and imagery, and which, on the one hand, was totally innovative, and on the other hand, followed the traditions of Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.