Sustainability Translation and Sustainable Translation: Foundations for a Dual Framework in Translation Studies
Synopsis
The growing prominence of sustainability across scientific, political, and corporate domains has intensified the need for multilingual communication, positioning translation as a key mediator of global environmental discourse. Yet the relationship between translation and sustainability remains conceptually unclear, with overlapping terms such as ecotranslation, ecotranslatology, green translation, sustainable translation, and translation for sustainability. This chapter addresses this gap by proposing a dual framework that distinguishes two complementary concepts. Sustainability translation is defined as a type of specialized translation involving texts in environmental science, climate policy, renewable energy, biodiversity, and sustainable development. Drawing on genre‑based approaches to LSP translation, we outline the textual, terminological, and interdisciplinary features of these genres and the competences required of translators. Sustainable translation, by contrast, concerns environmentally responsible and ethically grounded translation practice, examining digital infrastructures, AI technologies, and resource‑efficient workflows. Together, these perspectives clarify a fragmented conceptual field and support the development of future research, training, and professional standards.






