The Basic Concepts of Early Translation Theory<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
Abstract<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This chapter surveys the historical development of Western translation theory from Classical antiquity to the present, focusing on the enduring debate between literal (word-for-word) and free (sense-for-sense) translation. Foundational figures such as Cicero, St Jerome, and Dryden shaped early views, often grounded in religious or humanist principles. Bible translation remained a central and controversial issue for over a millennium. By the seventeenth century, more systematic approaches began to emerge, notably Dryden\u2019s triad and Schleiermacher\u2019s emphasis on foreignness. The chapter also addresses the increasing recognition of non-Western translation traditions, especially Chinese and Arabic discourses, including Buddhist sutra translation and the influence of Y\u00e1n F\u00f9. It highlights a growing body of scholarship and resources that examine translation across cultures, time periods, and languages. Key texts and collections are discussed, and readers are encouraged to explore specialized studies and recent contributions to global translation history, including online resources like the History of Translation network.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n