Abstract:

This paper delves into the significant theoretical and contemporary implications of Professor Yang Feng’s proposition that “translation is human studies” for re-understanding the essence of translation. It argues that this proposition serves as a crucial response to and critique of the prevailing instrumental and technocratic views of translation. The article systematically elucidates the theoretical connotations of “translation is human studies” through three interconnected dimensions: Firstly, on the ontological level, translation is posited as a fundamental mode of human existence, facilitating the communication of consciousness and the expansion of being through the creation and transformation of symbols. Secondly, on the cultural level, translation is characterized as a cross-cultural communicative act, functioning as a constructive force in cultural dissemination, exchange, and innovation. Thirdly, within the contemporary context, especially in the age of artificial intelligence, this proposition critically underscores the inherently humanistic nature of translation, the subjectivity of the translator, and its attendant ethical responsibilities. The paper concludes that “translation is human studies” is not a definitive theoretical summation but an open-ended intellectual proposition. It situates translation practice within the broader framework of human existence, culture, and production, thereby offering a new philosophical pathway and critical perspective for re-evaluating the utility of translation and addressing technological challenges.

Key words: Translation is Human Studies, Knowledge Translation Studies, Essence, Existence, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Translation Ethics