This book sketches translation history from the 17th century up to the present. It demonstrates the prevalence of fluency over other translation approaches to form the canon of foreign literatures in English, and examines the cultural effects of the domestic values which were concurrently inscribed and obscured in foreign texts of this period. It also traces alternative translation theories and practices in British, European and American cultures which set out to communicate instead of clearing away linguistic and cultural differences. The first edition, now ten years old, is still widely cited by academics in many disciplines and has had a huge influence on the whole field of Translation Studies. A new edition offers Venuti the chance to keep this influence alive, updating and advancing his argument and answering his (few) critics.