This indicates that in traditional Chinese translation theories there was a Wen versus Zhi dichotomy instead of literal versus free translation opposition.

Translators working in this branch constantly find themselves faced with three main contradictions,namely,"mouth shape and contents","sentence order and pictures",and"literal translation or free translation.

Especially after we know the essence of translation,translatability and accuracy,literal translation and liberal translation,and different ideas about translation standard,we will see more clearly the role of linguistics in translation.