Second thoughts on equivalence

The claim that the notion of eqivalence is necessary as a defining characteristic of translation - previously accepted by the author - must be qualified. The aim of this comment is to show that equivalence should not be treated as an abstract correspondence between a source and a target text, and is better understood as 'fidelity'. Accordingly, the task of the translator should be described as seeking the 'middle ground' - a position acceptable to both parties involved.