Which translation study term describes changing the target text's viewpoint to preserve meaning?

• A. Modulation.
• B. Literal Translation.
• C. Back Translation.
• D. Calque.

Answer: (A)

Modulation is changing the target text’s viewpoint to preserve meaning. When a literal rendering would sound awkward or fail to convey the original intent, a translator rephrases to shift perspective, focus, or even metaphor while keeping the sense intact. A classic example is turning an active clause into a passive one to foreground the result rather than the doer: The plan was approved by the manager. This shift in emphasis helps the translation flow naturally in the target language while preserving what the message conveys. The other terms describe different ideas: literal translation sticks to word-for-word rendering, back translation is a checking step that translates back into the original language, and calque is a loan translation that mirrors the source structure too closely. So modulation is the best fit for describing changing the viewpoint to preserve meaning.