Translating a non-literary text in a sense means a literal translation into another language where the translation maintains the original meaning with the highest possible precision. In other words: a translation must remain completely loyal to the original. In this field, preserving the specific semantics of the text – according to the often specialised domain to which it belongs – is of the utmost importance and therefore relies on the actual specialisation of the translator. For example, only doctors and physicians well versed in a foreign language are capable of translating medical texts. Concerning the so-called common texts or speeches, what matters is being able to confirm that their translation – according to the method applied – “has completely rendered their meaning”.

The literary translation requires different parameters, where form – rather than content – becomes most important. Every writer writes a language which is his own, making some writers more difficult to understand than others, even if the reader shares his native language. For that reason the literary translator may apply an extreme form of reading, a depth leading to the source of the text itself, to its creation. It has been said that he works in the interval between the restricting content and the rebellious form. The modern literary translation will always prefer the highest literal level possible, while at the same time rendering as much as possible the rhythm, colour and specificity of a literary stile with its own musicality. A talented author, composer, painter or sculptor is often recognized by his style. Just like art and creation, the literary translation of famous works is only accessible for translators who possess an extensive and intimate knowledge of the written language which in turn can only be found through a dedicated reading of all classic works in the language they work in to translate into their own language.

Naturally, any literary translator must also be an absolute master of his native language, as that is the target language for the text to be translated. An extended literary experience – specifically comparative literature studies – is indispensible in this regard. Not surprisingly, most famous literary translators are themselves writers or university professors. By definition, the literary translation excludes every interpretation, every inaccuracy which would result from misunderstanding – or at times not understanding at all – of some very volatile nuances. Every amateur translation must therefore be adamantly barred if we want to avoid that – as emphasised by Françoise Wuilmart, founder of the European Centre for Literary Translations – “the other culture is butchered”.