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

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.