美国翻译理论家奈达首次将"翻译腔"命名为"translationese"。他称"‘翻译腔’是一种形式上的忠实,结果导致不忠实于原文信息的内容和效果"。《翻译学辞典》中"翻译腔"的定义是:"A generally pejorative term used to refer to TL usage which because of its obvious reliance on features of SL is perceived as unnatural,impenetrable or even comical."