Abstract
This paper refers to the translation theory of Walter Benjamin’s ”The Task of Translator” (1923), focusing on main concepts of the “life” of Artwork (Kunstwerk) and the pure language (die reine Sprache). His concept of “Kunstwerk”, which is effective also to modern translation studies, was formed under the influence of George Kreis's art theory. On the other hand, his concept of “die reine Sprache”, a kind of working hypothesis, is influenced by a German poet Holderlin's artistic discussion. By these two main concepts, Benjamin's translation theory turned into a metaphysical translation theory, and turned into a theory of translation art.
