formal equivalence

English

Etymology

Coined by American linguist Eugene Nida.

Noun

formal equivalence (uncountable)

1. (translation studies) An approach to translation centered on preserving formal features (such as vocabulary or syntax) of the source in the translated text; word-for-word equivalence.

   Coordinate term: dynamic equivalence

   • 2011, David Bellos, chapter 15, in Is that a Fish in Your Ear?:

     Nida made a distinction between two kinds of equivalence in translation: formal equivalence, where the order of the words and their standard or common meanings correspond closely to the syntax and vocabulary of the source; […]

Further reading

• dynamic and formal equivalence on Wikipedia.Wikipedia