However, there are some differences between literal translation and free translation. 

The former is more concerned on the method of dealing with translation in terms of the language itself, while the latter is on the semantics, culture and aesthetics. 

1. The function of literal translation

Literal translation makes the translation closer to the original text in form. It tries to retain the language features of the original text and the unique expression of the original author, and maintains the differences between the source language and the target language, so as to convey the "exotic flavor" of the original work to the maximum extent. (refer to p172-173)

Another function is to input some words and expressions of the source language to enrich the cultural system of the target language. (refer to p174-175)

2. The function of free translation

The function of free translation focuses on "effect". 

The translator can adjust and adapt the order of words and sentences, logical relations and rhetorical devices of the original text, so as to make the translation smooth, conform to the reading habits of the target readers, and better convey the artistic effect of the original text.

意译的方法反映了“翻译度”的问题

杨绛先生的翻译观

“翻译度”：“翻译度”是一个相对的概念， 大体指的是“译文相对于原文进行翻转的幅度”。

If a translation is not100% complete, all non-translated strings can't be translated and you will see a mix of English and your preferred language.

如果翻译度没有达到100%，所有未被翻译的字串就无法以你的语言显示出来，那么你就会看到英语和你的语言夹杂在一起。

意译的理论根据在于不同文化间的差异

Eg. 1.  两弯似蹙非蹙胃烟眉,一双似喜非喜含情目。态生两靥之愁,娇袭一身之病。泪光点点,娇喘微微。闲静时如娇花照水,行动处若弱柳扶风。心较比干多一窍,病如西子胜三分。(曹雪芹、高鹗,《红楼梦》)

Yang Xianyi and Dai Naidie couple's version: 

       Her dusky arched eyebrows were knitted and yet not frowning, herpeaking eyes held both merriment and sorrow; her very frailty had charm.Her eyes sparkled with tears, her breath was soft and faint In repose she waslike a lovely flower mirrored in the water; in motion, a pliant willow swaying inthe wind. She looked more sensitive than Pi Kan, more delicate than His Shih

An American reader's comment:

      I can hardly see, through this passage, a beauty before my eyes, theoverwhelming impression being that the young woman is frail and paleWhen we say somebody's breath is soft and faint, we do believe that she orhe is fatally sick and should be hospitalized as soon as possible

Eg.2. You can trust him completely，he eats no fish．

意译为: “你完全可以相信他，他是个诚实的人。” 

       “你完全可以相信他，他不吃鱼”

“eat no fish”这个习语产生于伊丽莎白一世时代。当时信奉天主教的英国人按照罗马天主教定下的法规，每逢星期五那天只吃鱼不吃其他的肉。英国天主教也把星期五定为“fish day”，但是，信奉基督教的人却不理会这套，星期五他们照样吃其他的肉，因此得出“He eats no fish． ”以此来赞扬他们对基督教的忠诚。因此“eat no fish”就转义为“忠诚，诚实，可以信赖”。

Eg. 3. escape with the skin of one's teeth

意译为: 死里逃生、幸免遇难

这个成语来源于《圣经》: My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh，and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth． ( 我的皮肉紧贴骨头，我只剩牙皮逃脱了。) 牙上本没有皮，“只剩牙皮逃脱了”，是言其极险，除了保全生命之外全部丧失，因此以后在文中出现通常要意译。

The above examples bring us to think that behind the differences in language and writing, in fact, are the differences in the way of thinking and aesthetic taste of different nationalities in the world, that is, the differences in culture. 

If the translation is too close to the original text, it will not only cause the text to be dull and stiff, even strange and difficult to understand. The artistic effect it has achieved in the cultural system of the target language will even produce serious deformation, which will bring the readers of the target language feel completely different from the original readers. In this case, free translation may be a better choice.