Reconsidering the Hierarchy and Translation of “Physical Education/Sports” Related Terms: Taiwan Perspective

OBJECTIVES In the past centuries, the concept of “physical education” has changed from a more general concepts including physical activities and sports, to specifically inferring “instruction of physical activity”. Instead, “sports” has become the comprehensive concept of sports, exercise, and physical education. Given to the inconsistent terminologies and English translations of “體育 (ti-yu)” (physical education) and “運 動 (yun-dong)” (sports or exercise) in Mandarin, the purpose of this study was to investigate in the current terminology usage, hierarchy, and the English translation of “體育 (ti-yu)” and “運動 (yun-dong)” in Taiwan.METHODS Three government authorities, two sport related universities, eight top sport and exercise journals, and nighty-six college departments in Taiwan were analyzed.RESULTS “運動 (yun-dong)” was the most widely used terminology as “體育 (ti-yu)” occupied the majority usage among government authorities, sport related universities, and title of top sport and exercise journals. Regarding English translation, despite of “department of physical education”, “sports” remained the most common terminology. Moreover, “體育 (ti-yu)” and “sports” are the highest hierarchy among government authorities, and sport related university; “體育 (ti-yu)” and “physical education” are the highest hierarchy among traditional sport and exercise journals; “運動 (yun-dong)” and “sports” are the highest hierarchy among college departments also the mainstream of current translation and hierarchy.CONCLUSIONS “體育 (ti-yu)” was the highest hierarchy in the past. However, “運動 (yun-dong)” has been the mainstream of the highest hierarchy in Mandarin according to college departments. In English, “sport(s)” is the main term in Taiwan when translating “體育 (ti-yu)” and 運動 (yun-dong)”, also being the highest hierarchy. On the other hand, “體育 (ti-yu)” and “physical education” are utilized regarding those departments focusing on educating PE teachers. This study expects the terminology, English translations, and hierarchy being align with the mainstream of current translation and hierarchy in the future.