“Eco” and “Adaptation-Selection” in Eco-Translatology Explained

Abstract

“Eco” and “adaptation-selection” are two key terms in eco-translatology. “Eco” can be seen as the primary focus of eco-translatology, and it is also the growth point of researches in eco-translatology. “Adaptation-selection” is the theoretical backbone and also the modus operandi of eco-translatology. A proper understanding of these two terms is crucial to the study of eco-translatology. The terms “eco,” “adaptation,” and “selection” (or “choice-making”) have already been used in ecocriticism and Verschueren’s theory of linguistic adaptation and, consequently, had exerted a far-reaching influence in academic circles long before the birth of eco-translatology (cf. Note 4). So, what are the similarities and differences between the “eco” in eco-translatology and the “eco” in ecocriticism? And what are the similarities and differences between the “adaptation-selection” in eco-translatology and the “adaptation” and “selection” (“choice-making”) in Verschueren’s theory of linguistic adaptation? This chapter attempts a contrastive approach to the two key terms, “eco” and “adaptation-selection,” trying to shed light on the nuances of the two terms when used in different fields.