Professional training for translators, most often begun in specialized subject areas, should begin with a course in translation theory. The first purpose of such a course is to teach students to think as translators, whose function is to convey the message contained in the source language. Simply stated, this is a three-step process of: (1) isolation of semantic meaning (interpretation); (2) conversion of that semantic meaning back into a linguistic form in the target language (re-expression); and (3) refinement or specification (collation). Secondly, the student must develop a thorough understanding of how languages work in relation to one another (general linguistics). Finally, the practitioner must learn the relative independence of form and meaning in language, and then the need to know the situation of the text as well as its context. The student should learn to further distinguish meaning, which is linguistic, from sense, which is extra-linguistic, and to understand the elements of situation in a text: intention; motive; cultural background; social, educational, and professional level; linguistic competence; linguistic style; personalities of author and intended audience, etc. While the foremost task of translating is a linguistic one, the broader objective is textual equivalence. Contains 28 references. (MSE)