In translation, how does an understanding of functional equivalence differ from focusing solely on literal meaning?

Focusing solely on literal meaning prioritizes a word-for-word or phrase-for-phrase translation, aiming for close adherence to the source text's form, often neglecting the intended effect on the target audience. It aims to preserve the original wording as much as possible, even if it results in unnatural or unclear language in the target language. Understanding functional equivalence, on the other hand, prioritizes achieving the same function or purpose in the target text as the source text had in its original context. This may involve significant departures from literal translation to ensure that the target audience experiences the text in a way that is comparable to how the source audience experienced it. It considers the cultural context, intended audience, and the overall communicative goal. For example, a culturally specific idiom might not have a direct literal translation but can be functionally equated with a similar idiom in the target language that conveys the same meaning or emotional impact. Therefore, literal meaning focuses on form, while functional equivalence focuses on purpose and intended effect.