The concept describes a practice where translated texts read fluently in the target language, giving the impression they were originally written in that language. The translator’s work is concealed, resulting in a seamless reading experience. As an example, a novel originally written in Japanese might be translated into English in such a way that readers unfamiliar with Japanese would never suspect it wasn’t initially composed in English.
This approach to translation has been historically valued, particularly in literary and journalistic contexts, for its ability to foster broader readership and understanding. A smoothly rendered translation allows the target audience to connect directly with the content, unhindered by awkward phrasing or culturally specific references that might otherwise signal its origin in another language. It minimizes the perceived distance between the original text and the reader, enabling deeper engagement with the ideas and narrative.
