Equivalence revisited: A key concept in modern translation theory

At the very beginning of this article the importance of translation is regarded by the writer. The writer emphasizes the fact that both structural and generative linguistics help the notion of translation, however, he gives the priority over a third linguistic approach namely communicative or pragmatic approach on which the notions of translation and equivalence can be described. After all, the writer says the text linguistics is the best approach to describe translation both as the process and product. This theory regards the text to be the unit of translation. It considered translation as a communicative event. As a major part of the study the linguistic or text- oriented versus non- linguistic or context oriented translation theories are discussed. They are Anecdotal, biographical and neo- hermeneutic approaches, response- oriented, behavioral approaches, literature oriented approaches (descriptive translation studies), post modernist and deconstructionist approach and functionalistic and action and reception theory related approaches. As a very important matter, translation research and translator training are affected by linguistic oriented approaches that support the view of the empirical data they collect. They develop scientific models. Finally, Venuti seems to define the shortcomings of the linguistic- oriented approaches. According to these approaches, translation is theorized on the model of Griceun conversation maxims is which the translator communicates the foreign text by cooperating with the domestic reader. They are quantifying of information, quality or truthfulness in translation, relevance or consistency of the context, and manner or clarity. Finally, despite all these aspects and models there is one model which is drawn by the writer. It is the dynamic translation model on which translation and equivalence and even translation criticism are discussed.