This session aims to explore different ways of translating non-human voices, exploring the complex relationship between humans and non-humans in these ever-changing environments of nature in the discourse of eco-translation. This session is timely as it will contribute to the discussion of the long-term survival and sustainability of humanity and nature from an eco-translational perspective. 

    In the Anthropocene era, the pace of human development outpaces that of natural evolution, disrupting ecological balance and transforming humans into a potent geological force. Frequently, humans reduce the complexity of other life forms or natural entities on the planet, treating them as mere kinds of resources or energy used by humans without adequate consideration for the future. This perceived human superiority creates a dichotomy between humans and non-humans, further influencing knowledge production dynamics. The critiques of human exceptionalism and extrativism prompt scholars to investigate the evolving role of translation regarding how it connects humans with a broader physical world and its association with nature. Translation, facilitating communication among humans and even non-humans, can have great impacts on our understanding of the relationship between humans and nature in different ways. Many translation studies scholars (Hu 2013 and 2024; Cronin 2017, Marais 2018, Dasca and Cerarols 2024) have initiated a conversation of including non-human voices in order to reflect and understand the deep and long-standing relationship between humans and non-humans. However, translation is rather a practical activity, but there lacks the discussion of how to translate non-humans in practice but a theoretical discussion of the rationale of translating them. In this case, this panel seeks to explore how we should understand non-humans, the further methods of translating non-human voices, and the ethics of eco-translation such as anthropomorphism. The practice of eco-translation is not only a literary activity but also a philosophical understanding of the physical world where we are living. 

    This session will engage with the post-anthropocentric view by exploring the dynamic relationship between translation and nature and the new practical strategies of ecological translation. By practicing ecological translation, this eco-translational approach not only democratizes the discussion on the relationship between humans and nature but also emphasizes the shared responsibility for the well-being of our shared environment through the lens of translation. We will build these presentations to encourage the audience to ask questions on the translation of non-humans, which hopefully will correspond to the call of engaging different voices other than humans in translation studies.