Translation Studies Diary of 24 June, 2024

Eugene A. Nida introduced the influential concepts of Dynamic and Formal equivalence to translation studies. He abandoned old terms such as 'literal' and 'free' translation and promoted an analysis using these two orientations.

Formal equivalence is a concept often used in 'academic or legal' environments, where a strong awareness of the structure of the source text determines accuracy and correctness. It is often accompanied by scholarly footnotes and brings the reader closer to the language and customs of the source culture. Dynamic equivalence is based on what Nida calls the principle of 'equivalent effect', which is the concept that the relationship between the recipient of the translated text and the message should be substantially the same as that between the recipient of the original text and the message. It aims at conformity to the linguistic needs and cultural expectations of the recipient and natural expression.

The two terms are similar to the equality/equity relationship. In other words, a situation is analysed from an absolute or relative direction. These two terms are orthodox dichotomies, which, in my opinion, do not fundamentally overcome the problems faced by translation scholars. In fact, some scholars claim that equivalence effects are impossible because they cannot be measured. However, he has contributed to the invention of a scientific way of studying translation studies.