THE ECO-PARADIGM IN TRANSLATION STUDIES: PROBLEMS AND PERSPECTIVES

Аннотация

This article examines the emergence and development of the ecological paradigm within
Translation Studies, critically assessing both its theoretical contributions and its practical limitations.
Tracing the trajectory from metaphorical applications of ecological concepts to the formalized framework of
Eco-translatology, the study identifies key challenges confronting the paradigm, including its philosophical
underdevelopment, the tension between its holistic aspirations and its operational methodologies, and the
difficulty of empirically validating its central claims. The article further explores future perspectives,
considering how Eco-translatology might engage with technological advancements such as artificial
intelligence and machine translation, while also addressing the imperative for its internationalization
beyond East Asian academic contexts. Despite these challenges, the article argues that the ecological
paradigm offers a valuable corrective to reductionist views of translation, promoting a more interconnected,
ethical, and adaptive understanding of translational practice. It concludes that the paradigm‘s future
viability depends on its capacity to refine its theoretical foundations, expand its empirical applications, and
demonstrate its relevance to contemporary translation challenges in an increasingly globalized and digitally
mediated world.