Translation Quality in Translation Studies

What defines ‘good’ translation quality? While translation studies and industry practices have long grappled with this question, consensus remains elusive. This chapter critically examines competing perspectives on translation quality, bridging theoretical frameworks from translation studies with real-world professional standards. Beginning with Schleiermacher’s contextual approach, the analysis explores how translation quality assessment varies between academic ideals and marketplace realities. The discussion then shifts to concrete professional benchmarks, investigating how translation service standards are developed, certified (particularly in China’s growing market) and implemented. By contrasting product quality with service quality in commercial translation, this chapter reveals the complex interplay between linguistic fidelity and practical business requirements that ultimately shapes what we consider ‘quality’ in professional practice.