ArticleTranslation Theories and Skills http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/tfll.2025.09.006
Analyzing Misapplication of Variational Translation Theory: A Case Study of 4 MTI Theses of Translation Reports
Zili Duan*, Ruotong Zhuang
School of Foreign Languages, Huzhou University, Huzhou 313000, Zhejiang, China.
*Corresponding author: Zili Duan
Published: September 30,2025
Abstract
In China, variational translation theory has been recognized as an equal counterpart to complete translation theories, significantly contributing to the systematic study of translation. However, this theory has often been misapplied in the context of complete translation practices within Master of Translation and Interpreting (MTI) theses of translation reports. This theoretical conflation is problematic, and there is currently a lack of studies addressing this issue. Analyzing this misapplication is essential for ensuring proper application in the future and for enhancing translation education in Chinese universities offering MTI programs. This paper examines four MTI theses by analyzing their abstracts, descriptions of translation tasks and processes, five adaptation techniques employed across the cases, and their appendices which include both the English texts and their Chinese translations. The findings indicate that at a macro level, these reports conflate the critical distinction between adaptation in variational translation and transformation in complete translation, mistakenly equating transformation with adaptation. At a micro level, the analysis reveals that the five adaptation techniques–adding, deleting, editing, integrating, and altering in variational translation–are incorrectly equated with the five liberal translation methods–addition, omission, transposition, shift, and combination in complete translation.
Keywords
Theoretical misapplication; Variational translation; Translation report; Complete translation
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How to cite this paper
Analyzing Misapplication of Variational Translation Theory: A Case Study of 4 MTI Theses of Translation Reports
How to cite this paper: Zili Duan, Ruotong Zhuang. (2025). Analyzing Misapplication of Variational Translation Theory: A Case Study of 4 MTI Theses of Translation Reports. Translation and Foreign Language Learning, 1(2), 316-324.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/tfll.2025.09.006