Reflection Upon The Position Of Translation Equivalence Concept In Translation Research

Translation equivalence had once been a central concept in translation research and provoked heated debate in both home and abroad. However, as the cultural turn in translation studies and the emergence of diversified research approaches, this particular notion is somewhat ignored and marginalized. Under the current circumstance, it is necessary to reconsider the position of translation equivalence in translation research.The paper first analyzes the concept of"equivalence"from its narrow and broad sense, pointing out that the broad sense of equivalence is adopted in translation scenario, followed by the review of the origin and development of translation equivalence theories. Based on literature review, the paper discusses the controversies over translation equivalence concept at home and abroad and traces the cause of its marginalization in translation area. In order to clarify some misconception on translation equivalence, the paper sums up the nature and features of translation equivalence from various translation equivalence theories. Translation equivalence mostly entails a unique relationship held between a source text and a target text, and it is relative, intertextual, intercultural and dynamic, involving both linguistic and extralinguistc factors and emphasizing on both descriptive and prescriptive aspects. In fact, translation equivalence takes up an important position in theoretical translation research. It is not only an important research object in linguistic translation area, but also an enlightenment to many translation scholars in the translation studies. With regard to applied translation research, it can serve as both a guiding principle for translators in their translation practice and a criterion for translation evaluation. The conclusion is drawn that instead of being an out-dated notion, translation equivalence can still contribute to the development of translation research. In consideration of the diversification trend in translation research, the future study on translation equivalence will hopefully endow translation research with a more scientific nature.