| Adaptation Theory put forward by Jef. Verschueren explains language use from cognitive, social and cultural perspectives. It puts forward that the using of language must consist of the continuous making of linguistic choices, consciously or unconsciously to meet the needs of communication. Compared with traditional Anglo-American school which regards pragmatics as study phase of linguistics and divides pragmatics into separate subjects, the Adaptation Theory provides a consistent and integrated framework for language studies.With the emphasis of translation studies shifted from prescriptive researches to descriptive researches, Adaptation Theory also shows its powerful explanatory force in translation studies. With the enlightenments of Adaptation Theory in translation studies, the thesis re-studies and re-examines Yan Fu's Tian Yan Lun, which is considered as an unfaithful translation according to Yan Fu's own translation criterion, in the specific social-cultural context of its times. By comparative analysis of Tian Yan Lun and the original work Evolution and Ethics, the author tries to find out the reasons for Yan Fu's infidel translations and textual reflections presented in Tian Yan Lun. Besides, objective and reasonable explanations to the unorthodox strategies Yan Fu applied in Tian Yan Lun are also made.The findings reveal that Yan Fu's translation of Tian Yan Lun is not abused or irresponsible translation, but the product of the combined influence of then social, political, cultural factors. Motivated by the specific historical background and his political intentions, Yan Fu made a series of selection in the source text, the translation strategies, the style, and made adaptations of Huxley's Evolution and Ethics by means such as selective translation, edited translation, explanation, and commentary, etc. Through the thesis, the author proves the reasonable existence and historical importance of Tian Yan Lun from the new angle of Adaptation Theory.
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