Paragraphs on translations

Introduction. The following chapters are the first of a series of "Paragrahs on Translations" which I began contibuting once every two months to The Linguist, the journal of the Institute of Linguists, in September 1989, and which I am likely to continue as long as I go on teaching. The format of sections and paragraphs appeals to me, since it gives me the freedom (and indeed the ́space ́!) to discuss any topic as succinctly as I like. I think that more or less self-contained paragraphs have an impact that is missing in chapters of prescribed length. I have written these "Paragraphs" for various groups of readers: firt for translators, students and teachers of translation, and even for translation theorists; secondly for language teachers, linguistis and educationalists, thirdly for public administrators, politicians, directors of townhalls, airlines, hospitals, museums, theatres, art galleries, etc. and most importantly for the general and educated reader, who is continuously and increasingly affected by translation in the strest, in the supermarkets, in public buildongs, in planes and trains, in information and tourist offices, to an extent tha has never occurred before..."