Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework

Ting Shi

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14

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Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework

Ting Shi^*

Published in International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 4 January 2025 Accepted: 26 January 2025 Published: 28 February 2025

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Abstract

Metaphorical reference studies and literal reference studies are “two sides in one” of eco-translatology, while in fact the former one takes overwhelming dominance. As eco-translatology enters its third decade, it’s the turn for literal reference studies to serve as a necessary supplement to the long-lasting dominant metaphorical reference studies in eco-translatology. In the dialogue between Chinese and American poetry in the 20th century, American poets translated a splendid array of landscape poetry by Chinese recluse poets, among which Wang Wei was the most popular. In terms of its ecology-related content and translation influence, the translation and introduction of Wang Wei’s landscape poetry in America makes a translation representation so as to be an ideal research object of literal reference studies. By adopting the “three-life phases” framework—translation ecology, translator’s survival, and textual life-this research provides a systematic analysis of how Wang Wei’s ecological worldview, rooted in traditional Chinese harmony between humans and nature, is transplanted into Western cultural contexts. Seven significant English translations were selected based on their representation of Wang Wei’s ecological philosophy and their influence on American poetic movements. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study examines the socio-cultural context of translation, the ecological literacy of translators, and strategies used to adapt Wang Wei’s poetic imagery and philosophy for English readers. It is a relatively novel attempt to combine the literal sense with a specific translation event, facilitating to substantiate literal reference studies in eco-translatology and enrich the academic mode for foreign publicity of Chinese ecological culture.

Published in	International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14
Page(s)	35-44
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Eco-translatology, Literal Reference Studies, Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry, English Translation, Three-life Phases

References

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[10]	Hu, G. S. “Green Translation” for “Green Development”: A proposal for translation programs supporting ecological civilization. Shanghai Journal of Translators. 2020, 4, 46–51+95.
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[18]	Bynner, W. Translating Wang Wei. Poetry. 1922, 5(5), 272–278.
[19]	Robinson, W. Poems of Wang Wei. London: Penguin Books; 1973, Preface.
[20]	Luo, M. The nine types of “juxtaposition of imagery” in Wang Wei’s poetry: A literary history spectacle. Journal of South-Central University for Nationalities (Humanities and Social Sciences). 2012, 6, 120–122. https://doi.org/10.19898/j.cnki.42-1704/c.2012.06.023
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Shi, T. (2025). Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 11(1), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14

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ACS Style

Shi, T. Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2025, 11(1), 35-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14

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AMA Style

Shi T. Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2025;11(1):35-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14,
  author = {Ting Shi},
  title = {Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework
},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {35-44},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20251101.14},
  abstract = {Metaphorical reference studies and literal reference studies are “two sides in one” of eco-translatology, while in fact the former one takes overwhelming dominance. As eco-translatology enters its third decade, it’s the turn for literal reference studies to serve as a necessary supplement to the long-lasting dominant metaphorical reference studies in eco-translatology. In the dialogue between Chinese and American poetry in the 20th century, American poets translated a splendid array of landscape poetry by Chinese recluse poets, among which Wang Wei was the most popular. In terms of its ecology-related content and translation influence, the translation and introduction of Wang Wei’s landscape poetry in America makes a translation representation so as to be an ideal research object of literal reference studies. By adopting the “three-life phases” framework—translation ecology, translator’s survival, and textual life-this research provides a systematic analysis of how Wang Wei’s ecological worldview, rooted in traditional Chinese harmony between humans and nature, is transplanted into Western cultural contexts. Seven significant English translations were selected based on their representation of Wang Wei’s ecological philosophy and their influence on American poetic movements. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study examines the socio-cultural context of translation, the ecological literacy of translators, and strategies used to adapt Wang Wei’s poetic imagery and philosophy for English readers. It is a relatively novel attempt to combine the literal sense with a specific translation event, facilitating to substantiate literal reference studies in eco-translatology and enrich the academic mode for foreign publicity of Chinese ecological culture.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework

AU  - Ting Shi
Y1  - 2025/02/28
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 35
EP  - 44
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14
AB  - Metaphorical reference studies and literal reference studies are “two sides in one” of eco-translatology, while in fact the former one takes overwhelming dominance. As eco-translatology enters its third decade, it’s the turn for literal reference studies to serve as a necessary supplement to the long-lasting dominant metaphorical reference studies in eco-translatology. In the dialogue between Chinese and American poetry in the 20th century, American poets translated a splendid array of landscape poetry by Chinese recluse poets, among which Wang Wei was the most popular. In terms of its ecology-related content and translation influence, the translation and introduction of Wang Wei’s landscape poetry in America makes a translation representation so as to be an ideal research object of literal reference studies. By adopting the “three-life phases” framework—translation ecology, translator’s survival, and textual life-this research provides a systematic analysis of how Wang Wei’s ecological worldview, rooted in traditional Chinese harmony between humans and nature, is transplanted into Western cultural contexts. Seven significant English translations were selected based on their representation of Wang Wei’s ecological philosophy and their influence on American poetic movements. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study examines the socio-cultural context of translation, the ecological literacy of translators, and strategies used to adapt Wang Wei’s poetic imagery and philosophy for English readers. It is a relatively novel attempt to combine the literal sense with a specific translation event, facilitating to substantiate literal reference studies in eco-translatology and enrich the academic mode for foreign publicity of Chinese ecological culture.

VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Ting Shi

School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China

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http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6875-3094

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APA Style

Shi, T. (2025). Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation, 11(1), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14

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ACS Style

Shi, T. Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework. Int. J. Appl. Linguist. Transl. 2025, 11(1), 35-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14

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AMA Style

Shi T. Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework. Int J Appl Linguist Transl. 2025;11(1):35-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14,
  author = {Ting Shi},
  title = {Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework
},
  journal = {International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {35-44},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijalt.20251101.14},
  abstract = {Metaphorical reference studies and literal reference studies are “two sides in one” of eco-translatology, while in fact the former one takes overwhelming dominance. As eco-translatology enters its third decade, it’s the turn for literal reference studies to serve as a necessary supplement to the long-lasting dominant metaphorical reference studies in eco-translatology. In the dialogue between Chinese and American poetry in the 20th century, American poets translated a splendid array of landscape poetry by Chinese recluse poets, among which Wang Wei was the most popular. In terms of its ecology-related content and translation influence, the translation and introduction of Wang Wei’s landscape poetry in America makes a translation representation so as to be an ideal research object of literal reference studies. By adopting the “three-life phases” framework—translation ecology, translator’s survival, and textual life-this research provides a systematic analysis of how Wang Wei’s ecological worldview, rooted in traditional Chinese harmony between humans and nature, is transplanted into Western cultural contexts. Seven significant English translations were selected based on their representation of Wang Wei’s ecological philosophy and their influence on American poetic movements. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study examines the socio-cultural context of translation, the ecological literacy of translators, and strategies used to adapt Wang Wei’s poetic imagery and philosophy for English readers. It is a relatively novel attempt to combine the literal sense with a specific translation event, facilitating to substantiate literal reference studies in eco-translatology and enrich the academic mode for foreign publicity of Chinese ecological culture.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Literal Reference in Eco-Translatology: Analyzing Wang Wei’s Landscape Poetry Through the “Three-Life Phases” Framework

AU  - Ting Shi
Y1  - 2025/02/28
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14
T2  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JF  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
JO  - International Journal of Applied Linguistics and Translation
SP  - 35
EP  - 44
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2472-1271
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijalt.20251101.14
AB  - Metaphorical reference studies and literal reference studies are “two sides in one” of eco-translatology, while in fact the former one takes overwhelming dominance. As eco-translatology enters its third decade, it’s the turn for literal reference studies to serve as a necessary supplement to the long-lasting dominant metaphorical reference studies in eco-translatology. In the dialogue between Chinese and American poetry in the 20th century, American poets translated a splendid array of landscape poetry by Chinese recluse poets, among which Wang Wei was the most popular. In terms of its ecology-related content and translation influence, the translation and introduction of Wang Wei’s landscape poetry in America makes a translation representation so as to be an ideal research object of literal reference studies. By adopting the “three-life phases” framework—translation ecology, translator’s survival, and textual life-this research provides a systematic analysis of how Wang Wei’s ecological worldview, rooted in traditional Chinese harmony between humans and nature, is transplanted into Western cultural contexts. Seven significant English translations were selected based on their representation of Wang Wei’s ecological philosophy and their influence on American poetic movements. Using a qualitative analytical approach, the study examines the socio-cultural context of translation, the ecological literacy of translators, and strategies used to adapt Wang Wei’s poetic imagery and philosophy for English readers. It is a relatively novel attempt to combine the literal sense with a specific translation event, facilitating to substantiate literal reference studies in eco-translatology and enrich the academic mode for foreign publicity of Chinese ecological culture.

VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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