Abstract:  Pragmatic translation studies (PTS), which is parallel to literary translation in the field of Translation Studies, has to some extent developed in the past decades. However, its development is slow and its status as a whole has remained marginal. Actually, much work has to be done, such as clarification of relevant concepts, systematical construction of its theory. Furthermore, the pragmatic translation in the context of artificial intelligence is in urgent need of theoretical explanation and guide. By the genealogical method and qualitative analysis, this paper has reviewed the past trajectory of PTS in China, which demonstrates a great deal not only about its ambiguities of key concepts, but also about its defects in terms of theoretical approaches. Based on the review, this paper has suggested that, the systematical construction of PTS should consist of at least four aspects: stylistic or typological studies, applied translation studies of translational theories and theories emanated from other disciplines, studies of pragmatic translation issues, and studies of metatheories of PTS. The author of this paper argues that the PTS in China will play an important role in the process of translation studies internalization and globalization.

Key words:  translation studies, pragmatic translation, pragmatic translation studies (PTS), translation theory