A translation is to transfer the meaning of a written text in one language into a written text in another language, while preserving the semantic and lexical values of the source (the original language), and at the same time respecting the syntactic, lexical and semantic values of the target language.

The process of translation involves not only rendition of lexical items (words), but also appropriate rendition of syntax (grammar) and semantics (meaning).

For example, if we are translating into Chinese from a language where the word order is VSO (verb–subject–object), the target text in Chinese should follow the Chinese word order SVO.

If the source (original) text uses idiomatic expressions, the target text (outcome of translation) should preserve the meanings of these expressions by using appropriate idioms in the target language.