This is a first and, therefore, schematic presentation of the elementary concepts of a translation theory based on the empirical difference between “message” (meaning meant) and sign chains as revealed by the practice of translation. The theory is presented in axiomatic manner. Three axioms define the theoretical world in which the propositions of the theory have meaning. Ten definitions present the differences between “message” and “sign chains” paving the way for the theorems which develop the main tenets of the theory. Inevitably, every theory of translation is also a general theory of language. The whole is written in a symbolic notation which allows for concept and proposition control.