The problem of sustainability in translation studies: whose languages are preserved and whose are erased?

Abstract

Translation plays a critical role in promoting linguistic sustainability and cultural continuity in an increasingly globalized and digitized world. While it fosters intercultural communication and knowledge exchange, translation simultaneously determines which languages are preserved and which are marginalized. This study interrogates the paradoxical role of translation as both a preserver and an agent of linguistic extinction. It explores how translation policies, market forces, and emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—privilege dominant global languages such as English, French, and Mandarin while excluding low-resource and indigenous languages. The research employs a non-experimental qualitative approach, relying on theoretical and textual analysis to examine translation’s ecological, ethical, and socio-political dimensions. Drawing on Linguistic Ecology Theory and Postcolonial Translation Theory, the study situates translation within broader debates on linguistic justice and sustainability. Linguistic Ecology Theory highlights translation’s function within interdependent language ecosystems, whereas Postcolonial Translation Theory reveals how colonial and neo-colonial legacies sustain linguistic hierarchies. The central objective is to evaluate how translation influences the sustainability or erasure of languages within global communication systems. Findings suggest that translation can either empower endangered languages through inclusive, community-driven initiatives or reinforce linguistic homogenization through structural inequality. The study calls for a redefinition of translation ethics toward “translational sustainability,” emphasizing inclusivity, reciprocity, and digital equity as prerequisites for preserving global linguistic diversity.