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source language, and that the cultural elements in the target
langauge should closely match the cultural elements in the source
language. In other words, the receptor message should be an
approximation of the source message in both form and content. Formal
or, to be more precise, structural equivalence typifies a gloss
translation, ie. an attempt to reproduce, as literally and
meaningfully as possible, the form and content of the original message
in the receptor language. A gloss translation relates the receptor
reader to customs, thoughts, modes of behaviour, and cultural patterns
alien to his own culture. Therefore, he will not be able to react to
the receptor message as the source reader reacts to the original.
Consequently, effective communication will not be maximally achieved.
Dynamic equivalence, on the other hand, is oriented towards the
receptor message. A translation of dynamic equivalence is based on
the principle of equivalent effect, ie. it aims at producing an effect
on the receptor reader equivalent to that produced on the source reader
by the source message. In other words, both source and target
recipients should react almost identically to the communicative
message. Unlike formal equivalence, dynamic equivalence translation
does not initiate the receptor reader into manners of thought,
expressions, modes of behaviour, and cultural patterns extraneous to
his own unique culture. On the contrary, "A translation of dynamic
equivalence", as Nida sees it, "aims at complete naturalness of
expression, and tries to relate the receptor to modes of behaviour
relevant within the context of his own culture; it does not insist that
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