Abstract: The adaptation theory of pragmatics, originating from a single language, can change qualitatively when combined with translation practice.As the combination of adaptation theory and translation involves author, source text, target reader, and translation direction, an adaptation system can be formed.Based on the degree of inter-lingual adaptation, the two levels-complete translation adaptation and variational translation adaptation-can be divided.The former aims at solving the minor contradictions between form and meaning, and the latter the major contradictions between supply and demand in cross-cultural communication.This is a new division in translation studies with the aid of adaptation theory.In the history of translation, the minor adaptation mechanism of complete translation was once dominant, while the major adaptation mechanism of variational translation subordinate.Now they are equally important in translation.