Multiple Dimensions of Literal Translation

The literal translation has always been misunderstood. It is either confused with the for word translation or blamed for its illisibility. Based on the translation theories and the practices of Benjamin, Berman and Steiner, this article is to reevaluate the literal translation from its linguistic philosophical, poetical, ethical and cultural dimensions and thereby to clear up people’s misunderstandings of literal translation and to confirm the importance of the latter to translation studies and practices.