Translation theory: The systematic study and analysis of principles, methods, and concepts underlying the
process of translation, aimed at understanding and improving translation practices.
Theorization: The act of formulating or developing theories, hypotheses, or conceptual frameworks to
explain phenomena related to translation.
Equivalence: The concept of finding or establishing a correspondence or similarity between elements of
the source text and the target text, often with regard to meaning, style, and cultural context.
Source text: The original text that is being translated into another language or languages.
Target text: The translated text produced from the source text, intended for an audience that speaks a
different language.
Start language: The language of the source text being translated.
Target language: The language into which the source text is being translated.
Start culture: The cultural context associated with the source text.
Target culture: The cultural context of the audience for whom the translation is intended.
Translating process: The systematic series of actions and decisions involved in converting a text from one
language to another while preserving its meaning and intent.
Translation memory: A database or tool used by translators to store previously translated segments of text
for reuse, aiding consistency and efficiency.
Glossary: A list of specialized terms with their definitions or translations, often used as a reference in
translation to maintain consistency.
Western translation form: The conventions, norms, and practices characteristic of translation traditions in
Western cultures.
Colonialism: The practice of acquiring political control over another country, occupying it with settlers,
and exploiting its resources, often leading to linguistic and cultural impositions on indigenous populations
and their languages.
Imperialism: A policy or practice by which a country extends its power, influence, or control over other
territories, often resulting in cultural domination and linguistic hegemony.
Sanskrit concept of translation (Fanyi): The ancient Indian understanding of translation, encompassing the
idea of conveying meaning across languages and cultures, often associated with the Sanskrit term
"Fanyi."
Modernity and translation: The intersection between translation practices and the socio-cultural changes
and advancements characteristic of modernity, including globalization, technological innovations, and
shifts in cultural paradigms.
Skopos theory: A translation theory that emphasizes the purpose or function (Skopos) of a translation and
suggests that the translation strategy should be determined by the intended purpose or function of the
target text.
Localization in translation: The adaptation of a translated text to suit the linguistic, cultural, and social
conventions of the target audience or locale, often involving modifications beyond mere linguistic
translation.
Automation in translation: The use of computer-assisted translation tools, algorithms, and machine
translation systems to streamline and facilitate the translation process.
Uncertainty in translation: The inherent ambiguity, complexity, and subjectivity involved in translating
texts, which can lead to various interpretations and challenges in achieving equivalence.
Indeterminism in translation: The acknowledgment that translation outcomes are not predetermined and
can vary depending on multiple factors, including translator decisions, cultural contexts, and linguistic
nuances.
Cultural translation: The process of conveying cultural meanings and nuances from one language and
cultural context to another, often involving adaptation and interpretation beyond linguistic equivalence.
Equivalence-based theories in translation: Translation theories that prioritize achieving equivalence
between the source and target texts in terms of meaning, style, and cultural relevance.
Purpose-based theories in translation: Translation theories that emphasize the importance of considering
the communicative purpose and function of the target text in determining translation strategies and
decisions.
Theory-practice relationship in translation: The dynamic interplay between theoretical insights and
practical applications in translation studies, involving the reciprocal influence of translation theories on
translation practices and vice versa.
Debate and dialogue in translation theory: The ongoing discourse and exchange of ideas among scholars,
practitioners, and stakeholders in the field of translation studies, aimed at advancing theoretical
understanding and addressing practical challenges.
Translation studies: An interdisciplinary field of study that examines translation and interpreting
phenomena from linguistic, cultural, sociological, historical, and theoretical perspectives.
Translation norms: The conventions, standards, and expectations that govern translation practices within
specific linguistic, cultural, and professional contexts.
The role of context in translation: The significance of situational, cultural, and linguistic contexts in
shaping the meaning, interpretation, and reception of translated texts.
Translator's creativity: The capacity of translators to creatively navigate linguistic and cultural challenges,
make strategic decisions, and produce translations that are faithful to the original while also engaging and
effective in the target language and culture.
Translator's reflection: The process of critically examining one's translation decisions, practices, and
assumptions, often leading to enhanced self-awareness, professional growth, and improved translation
competence.
Translation terminology: The specialized vocabulary and terminology used in translation studies to
describe and analyze translation phenomena, strategies, and theories.
Translation discourse: The scholarly discourse and literature surrounding translation studies,
encompassing theoretical debates, empirical research, and practical insights into translation practices.
Translation discourse analysis: The systematic study of language use, power dynamics, and cultural
representations in translated texts and translation processes, often drawing on insights from discourse
analysis and translation studies.
Translation pedagogy: The theory and practice of teaching translation skills, strategies, and theories to
students, aspiring translators, and language professionals.
Translation instruction: The methods, approaches, and techniques used in teaching translation, aimed at
developing students' translation competence and critical thinking skills.
Translation methodology: The systematic approach or set of principles guiding the translation process,
including the selection of strategies, techniques, and tools to achieve effective and faithful translations.
Translation research: The scholarly investigation and inquiry into translation phenomena, practices, and
theories, aimed at advancing knowledge and understanding within the field of translation studies.
Translation philosophy: The philosophical inquiries and reflections on the nature, purpose, ethics, and
epistemology of translation, exploring fundamental questions about language, communication, and
cultural exchange.
Translator's ethics: The moral principles, values, and responsibilities that guide translators' conduct and
decision-making in their professional practice, including issues of accuracy, confidentiality, and cultural
sensitivity.
Translation ethics: The ethical considerations and dilemmas inherent in translation practices, involving
questions of fidelity, transparency, power dynamics, and social responsibility.
Translator's agency: The capacity of translators to act as autonomous agents in shaping the translation
process and negotiating meaning across languages and cultures, often within complex socio-political
contexts.
Translation competence: The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for effective and proficient
translation, encompassing linguistic proficiency, cultural awareness, and strategic problem-solving skills.
Translation quality assessment: The evaluation and measurement of the quality, accuracy, and
effectiveness of translated texts, often based on criteria such as fidelity to the source text, linguistic
fluency, and cultural appropriateness.
Translator's role: The multifaceted responsibilities, functions, and identities assumed by translators in
various professional, cultural, and historical contexts, including roles as mediators, cultural brokers, and
agents of communication.
Translator's identity: The personal, professional, and cultural factors that shape translators' sense of self,
identity, and belonging within the field of translation studies and the wider socio-cultural landscape.
Translator's responsibility: The ethical and professional obligations of translators to produce translations
that are accurate, faithful, and culturally sensitive, while also considering the interests and needs of all
stakeholders involved.
Translation purpose: The intended function, audience, and communicative goal of a translated text,
influencing translation strategies, styles, and choices made by translators.
Translation evaluation criteria: The standards, benchmarks, and guidelines used to assess the quality,
effectiveness, and appropriateness of translated texts, including criteria related to linguistic accuracy,
cultural fidelity, and communicative efficacy.
Translation evaluation methods: The procedures, techniques, and tools employed in the evaluation and
evaluation of translated texts, which may include expert judgment, reader feedback, comparative analysis,
and quantitative metrics.
Translation evaluation models: The theoretical frameworks or paradigms that guide the assessment and
analysis of translated texts, offering structured approaches to understanding translation quality and
effectiveness.
Translation evaluation standards: The established norms, principles, and criteria used to judge the quality
and adequacy of translations within specific contexts or domains, often developed by professional
associations, institutions, or industry stakeholders.
Translator's ideology: The beliefs, values, and perspectives that influence a translator's approach to
translation, including attitudes towards language, culture, politics, and identity.
Translator's subjectivity: The personal biases, interpretations, and perspectives that can shape a
translator's understanding and treatment of a source text, influencing translation choices and outcomes.
Translation strategies: The deliberate approaches, techniques, and methods employed by translators to
navigate linguistic, cultural, and textual challenges in the translation process, aimed at achieving specific
goals or effects.
Translation techniques: The practical methods, procedures, and skills used by translators to address
linguistic and cultural differences between source and target texts, including strategies for adaptation,
compensation, and negotiation.
Translator's intuition: The instinctive understanding, tacit knowledge, and experiential judgment that
guides translators' decision-making and problem-solving in the translation process, often drawing on their
linguistic and cultural expertise.
These terms encompass various aspects of translation theory, practice, ethics, and evaluation, highlighting
the complexity and interdisciplinary nature of the field of translation studies.