《翻译适应变异论》是一部翻译理论的学术专著。作者马萧基于Jef Verschueren的语用纵观论和语言顺应论构建了“翻译适用变异论”的理论框架，从翻译变异这一翻译中普遍存在的现象入手，并以此为证据追溯整个翻译过程，挖掘翻译变异的动因，力图论证“翻译即是一种适应性变异”这一论点。

《翻译适应变异论》是一部翻译理论的学术专著。作者马萧基于Jef Verschueren的语用纵观论和语言顺应论构建了“翻译适用变异论”的理论框架，用以解释翻译过程中普遍存在的翻译变异现象。“橘生淮南则为橘，生于淮北则为枳……所以然者何？水土异也。”晏婴一语道破了翻译适应变异论的基本思路和个中道理。

翻译适应变异论认为，翻译变异是翻译中普遍存在的现象。任何翻译必然涉及翻译变异，可以说，没有变异就没有翻译。翻译变异贯穿翻译活动始终。翻译变异是为了适应变化了的翻译语境，因此，翻译适应性是翻译变异性的动因，翻译变异是翻译中不可避免的创造性策略。在翻译过程中只有通过变异性处理，才能使翻译在异域语境中达到成功交际的目的，翻译变异性也造就了翻译产品的多样性。

《翻译适应变异论》提出了三个指导性的翻译原则，即适应性原则、条件性原则和变异性原则。

Chapter 1 Introduction

 1.1 Preview

 1.2 Object of the research

 1.3 Rationale of the research

 1.4 Problems with the existing translation studies

 1.5 Objectives of the research

 1.6 Key research questions and hypotheses

 1.7 Research methodology

 1.8 Significance of the research

 1.9 Structure of the research

Chapter 2 Review of the Relevant Literature

 2.1 Introduction

 2.2 A meta-theoretical thinking of translation studies

 2.2.1 Different focuses of investigation

 2.2.2 Problems of translation studies

 2.2.3 Problems with research methodology

 2.2.4 Some taken-for-granted facts in translation studies

 2.3 Studies related to translational variations

 2.3.1 Translation shift

 2.3.2 The variational approach

 2.3.3 Huang's study on special variations in translation

 2.3.4 Hu's adaptation and selection approach

 2.4 Summary

Chapter 3 A Description of Adaptation-Theoretic Framework

 3.1 Introduction

 3.2 Introduction to adaptation theory

 3.2.1 Pragmatics as a general functional perspective

 3.2.2 Theory of linguistic adaptation

 3.2.3 Four angles of investigation

 3.2.4 Three properties of language

 3.3 An adaptation-theoretic approach to translation as adaptive variation

 3.3.1 Contextual correlates in translational context

 3.3.2 Translation as translator-centered

 3.3.3 Language properties as prerequisites for translation operation

 3.3.4 Translating as dynamic processes of making choices

 3.3.5 Salience as cognitive filter

 3.3.6 Translation as realization of adaptation

 3.3.7 Translational variation as the result of adaptation

 3.4 Summary

Chapter 4 Salience as a Cognitive Filter

 4.1 Introduction

 4.2 The Cognitive nature of salience

 4.2.1 The notion of salience

 4.2.2 Degree of salience

 4.2.3 Dynamics of salience

 4.3 Salience of the ST features

 4.4 Salience of the rrr norms

 4.5 Salience of sociocultural context

 4.6 Salience to the translator

 4.7 Salience as a cognitive filter

 4.8 Summary

Chapter 5 Adaptability of Translation

 5.1 Introduction

 5.2 Linguistic adaptability

 5.3 Translational adaptability

 5.3.1 Terminological problem and ambiguity

 5.3.2 Redefining adaptation or adaptability

 5.4 Bidirectionality of adaption

 5.5 Obligatory adaptation

 5.5.1 Adaptation to the rules of phonological patterns

 5.5.2 Adaptation to the rules of syntactical structure

 5.5.3 Adaptation to the rules of textual organization

 5.6 Optional adaptation

 5.6.1 Interpersonal adaptability

 5.6.2 lntertextual adaptability

 5.6.3 Sociocultural adaptability

 5.7 Summary

Chapter 6 Variability of Translation

 6.1 Introduction

 6.2 Linguistic variability

 6.3 Translational variability

 6.4 Possibilities of translational variation

 6.4.1 Variability of linguistic forms

 6.4.2 Variability of semantic content

 6.4.3 Variability of pragmatic function

 6.4.4 Variability of text type and text function

 6.5 Variation as dynamic processes of choice making

 6.5.1 Dynamic choice making of ST interpretation

 6.5.2 Dynamic choice making of TT production

 6.6 Variation as Translation Strategy

 6.7 Variation as Translational Creativity

 6.8 Translational products as a continuum of variations

 6.9 Summary

Chapter 7 Translation as Adaptive Variation: A Unified Account

 7.1 Introduction

 7.2 Translation as adaptive variation

 7.3 Principles of translation

 7.3.1 Adaptation principle

 7.3.2 Conditioning principle

 7.3.3 Variational principle

 7.4 A Unified account of translation

 7.4.1 ST as source of information for translation

 7.4.2 TT as communicative text in target culture

 7.4.3 Paradoxes and disputes revisited

 7.4.4 Translatability reconsidered

 7.5 Summary

Chapter 8 Conclusion

Bibliography