What Is Dynamic Equivalence?

Dynamic equivalence is a translation concept that prioritizes the functional effect of a text on its target audience over formal correspondence to its source-language structure. Rather than reproducing words or syntax mechanically, it seeks to convey meaning in a way that elicits a comparable cognitive and pragmatic response in the receiving context. In Evidence-Based Biblical Studies (EBBS), dynamic equivalence is treated not as a type of data or an analytical tool, but as a conceptual framework guiding translation decisions under evidential constraints. Its use requires transparent justification, explicit weighting of linguistic, historical, and contextual data, and continuous distinction between textual meaning and reception-driven adaptation.

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