§ 7.

THE LEVELS OF EQUIVALENCE HIERARCHY

The relationship between the levels of equivalence is not random. Each

subsequent level presupposes a preceding one. Thus, the level of lexical and
grammatical equivalence implies that the phrases have the same grammatical and
lexical meanings (transformation and semantic equivalence), refer to the same
situation, and have the same function. Phrases equivalent at the semantic level have
similar semantics, describe the same situation and perform the same function;
however, they do not have close grammatical meaning, since this level of equivalence
is higher than the transformational level. Thus, the hierarchy observed between the
level of equivalence is unilateral, the lower levels presupposing the higher ones, but
not the other way about.
The hierarchy of levels does not imply the degree of evaluation. A lower level
of equivalence does not mean a worse level. A higher level of equivalence is not a
better one. A translation can be good at any level. This depends on a number of
factors, such as the aim of the author, the requirements of the text, the perception by
the receptor.