This approach to rendering text from one language into another prioritizes maintaining the source text’s form. This includes elements like sentence structure, word order, and even stylistic features. A direct, literal transfer is favored whenever possible. As an example, consider the common phrase “It’s raining cats and dogs.” A strictly literal rendering in another language might not convey the intended meaning, which is simply that it is raining heavily. However, adhering to this approach would necessitate a version that includes equivalent words to “cats” and “dogs,” even if the target language has a different idiom for heavy rain.
Maintaining the source’s structure can be valuable in specific contexts. For example, in legal or religious texts, preserving the original wording, even if it sounds somewhat awkward in the target language, can be paramount for accuracy and avoiding misinterpretation. It facilitates careful scrutiny and comparison with the original, which is crucial for scholars and those seeking precise understanding. Historically, this method was often favored for translating sacred texts, as it was thought to preserve the divine authority and meaning embedded in the original language.
