Translational equivalence is the similarity between a word (or expression) in one language and its translation in another. This similarity results from overlapping ranges of reference.
A translation equivalent is a corresponding word or expression in another language.
Examples
Alamblak (Papua New Guinea), English
Here is an example of translational equivalence between Alamblak (Papua New Guinea) and English:
yɨhop
An English speaker might analyze the Alamblak word with two meanings:
yesterday
tomorrow
The two English words are simple translational equivalents.
However, there is another word in Alamblak that can be analyzed as follows:
yuanane
day before yesterday
day after tomorrow
These Alamblak words do not have two senses even though they each have two simple translational equivalents. A single, explanatory analytic definition followed by translational equivalents is the preferable analysis:
yɨhop
one day removed from the present; yesterday, tomorrow
yuanane
two days removed from the present; day before yesterday, day after tomorrow