Book excerpt: The aim of the present book is to give an overview of (and an insight into) translation, as well as an introduction to some of the major linguistic theories used to explain the task of translating, and to the main problems involved in English-Spanish translation. Contents focus briefly on the concept of translation, the main approaches applied to the theory and practice of translation, how linguistic paradigms have contributed to translation studies, the role of the translator and translation competence, the main theoretical problems and controversial issues (translatability vs. untranslatability, fidelity vs. fluency, equivalence vs. adequacy, etc.), translation strategies and techniques, practical problems in English-Spanish translation, translation and new technologies, and the evaluation of translation. Each chapter includes three theoretical sections dealing with the abovementioned issues, as well as a forth section with suggestions for further readings, and a final fifth section with translation tasks and questions.