Functional Equivalence Revisited: Eugene Nida’s Translation Theory and its Practice, Application and Limitations 
ZhiJun Li

Changchun University, Changchun Jilin, 130021；

Abstract: Eugene A. Nida, His concept of dynamic equivalence and subsequent development of functional equivalence has completely rethought the function, process and evaluation of translation through focus on communicative effects, receptor response, and natural interlinguistic expression. This paper intensively synthesizes past literature to outline the three phases through which Nida's ideas have evolved from descriptive linguistics to communication theory and social semiotics, to clarify the central notions of kernel sentences, dynamic/functional equivalence and receptor response, and to highlight the revolutionary impact of the theory in Bible translation with particular reference to the interpretation of Mark 1:4. The paper also explores the cross-disciplinary applicability of functional equivalence in specialized translation such as Chinese herbal medicine, reviews scholarly evaluations both at home and abroad, and critically discusses the theological, theoretical and practical shortcomings of the approach. The paper concludes that, while Nida’s theory has fundamentally changed our perception of translation by shifting our attention to communication and resolved the age-old conflict between literal and free translation, thereby making the sacred and secular texts equally accessible through interlinguistic translation, its overemphasis on receptor understanding and weakening of form and theology indicate inherent deficiencies.

Keywords: Eugene Nida; dynamic equivalence; functional equivalence; receptor response; translation theory; theological critique

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