Foreignization and domestication can be regarded as conceptual extensions of literal translation and free translation, but they are not completely equivalent to literal translation and free translation. Literal translation and free translation focus on how to deal with form and meaning at the language level, while foreignization and domestication break through the limitation of language factors and expand their horizons to language, culture and aesthetics.
Different meanings of domestication and foreignization
(1) Literal translation conforms to the national norms of the target language, and the translation is true and lifelike, and the content and style of the work are maintained by preserving the face (expression) of the original text.
(2) Free translation uses the same or similar expressions in the target language to replace the relationship between content and form that cannot be preserved in the original because of the differences between the two languages. Try to lose the original appearance, but from different contexts, it still retains the original content and adapts to the original style.
(3) Domestication is the localization of the source language, aiming at the target language or the target language readers, and conveying the content of the original text by using the expressions that the target language readers are accustomed to.
(4) Domestication translation requires the translator to be close to the target readers. Translators must speak like native authors. If the original author wants to have a direct dialogue with readers, the translation must become an authentic mother tongue. Domestication translation helps readers to better understand the translation and enhance its readability and appreciation.