In any discussion of typical translation situations, a distinction needs to be made between the micro-level and the macro-level. O the micro-level, the work of individual translators is examined, through a study of their textual products, which include not only the translations themselves, but any documentation pertaining to those translations. On the macro-level, the object of study is the context in which the translator operates. This article deals with typical translation situation, discussion topics such as; the cross-cultural movement of texts, polysystem theory and translation situations, textual manipulations, the translator's role, translation after colonialism, textual power relations, and visibility and translation.