Author(s): SIQIN, G., ZHANG, J.Y., GUO, J.H., LU, G.R., Institution: INNER MONGOLIA MINZU UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1400

Introduction
This study presents the first scoping review on the translation of traditional Chinese sports, a field that has received fragmented and disproportionately focused scholarly attention. While existing literature has predominantly centered on terminology translation and cultural representation in martial arts, areas such as the translation of health-promoting traditional sports, interpreting for international competitions, and the role of translation in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage have yet to be systematically consolidated. This review aims to map the available evidence, identify critical knowledge gaps, and offer a comprehensive overview of the current research landscape.

Methods
The review follows PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Given that most relevant literature is published in Chinese, CNKI was searched on 25 January 2026 as the most authoritative source for this domain. Original peer-reviewed articles on any aspect of traditional Chinese sports translation were eligible. Data on authorship, journals, titles, abstracts, source text types, translator profiles, and thematic foci were extracted and analyzed.

Results
A total of 83 records were retrieved, of which 26 met the inclusion criteria and were scoped. The findings reveal a steady increase in scholarly output over the past decade. The translation of martial arts terminology and the translation of Chinese ethnic minority sports were the two most frequently explored topics. Notably, no studies were identified that specifically addressed the translation of traditional sports for therapeutic purposes, sign language interpreting in disability-inclusive traditional sports, or the translation of women’s traditional sports practices. The majority of studies analyzed canonical written texts, involved male translators, and were produced by scholars based in mainland China, underscoring a limited geographical and sociocultural diversity.

Discussion & Conclusion
The growing academic interest in translating traditional Chinese sports reflects broader cultural heritage revitalization efforts and the global visibility of these sports through mega-events such as the Olympic Games. This visibility, in turn, generates a practical demand for high-quality, evidence-informed translation practices that support international exchange, classification, and heritage preservation. By systematically mapping the field, this review identifies pressing research gaps, particularly in the domains of health-oriented sports translation, interpreting services, and gender-inclusive perspectives. Future research should expand its focus to include non-professional translators, female and disability-involved contexts, and diverse sociocultural settings. The findings also provide practical implications for developing specialized translation curricula, professional guidelines, and comprehensive support systems for the global dissemination of traditional Chinese sports.