The “three laws of translation” is not a universally standardized term, but in translation studies, especially within literary or theoretical contexts, three core principles (sometimes referred to as “laws” or “rules”) are often cited. However, in a simplified and practical sense, the following are widely accepted as three key laws or principles of good translation:
1. Fidelity (Faithfulness)
The translation must accurately convey the meaning and intent of the original text.
- This means being loyal to the content, context, and message.
- Avoid adding, omitting, or altering meaning unless necessary for clarity in the target language.
2. Clarity (Readability or Comprehensibility)
The translation should be clear, natural, and understandable in the target language.
- It must read fluently, as if originally written in that language.
- Avoid overly literal or awkward constructions that make the translation sound “foreign.”
3. Elegance (Style & Tone Preservation)
The style, tone, and emotional impact of the original should be preserved in the translation.
- This includes maintaining formal or informal registers, humor, irony, poetic devices, etc.
- Especially important in literary, marketing, or creative content.
These three laws are sometimes referred to in slightly different terms (e.g., accuracy, fluency, and style) but they reflect the same underlying principles.
Would you like to explore how these apply in different translation types like legal, technical, or literary?
