在新聞報刊中，常常要對一些專有名詞進行翻譯，特別是對一些熱點關注問題的核心詞匯的翻譯更是出現了多種版本，那么，到底怎么翻才算是合情合理的呢？下面就以"三通"，"四項基本原則"和"五好家庭"為例，來簡要介紹一下：

1.三通

字面英譯：three links

常見釋譯：three (direct) links (across the Taiwan Straits, namely, link of trade, travel and post); link of trade, travel and post (between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits)

解釋說明：若不做解釋性增譯而是把"三通"照字直譯為"three links"的話，估計沒有多少外國讀者看得懂，恐怕連有些中國人也不懂。"三通"是個概括的說法，特指海峽兩岸之間的通商、通航和通郵。新聞翻譯要使人一目了然，不可晦澀難懂，需酌情作些解釋性增譯。上述譯文清晰地顯示了"三通"的內容。

曾有人把"三通"譯作"three exchanges, the exchange of trade, travel and post"。這樣譯似不妥，一是嚴格說來，英語中trade這個詞所表示的語義本身就是雙向的，本身就含有exchange之義。二是"exchange"的詞義是"交換"或"交流"，與"三通"中的"通"的含義有較大的距離。換言之，用"three exchanges"來譯"三通"，"通"的含義不明顯，改譯成"three links"或"three direct links"，"通"字所表示的意義就譯出來了。

實證舉隅：Mass media here call on Taiwan authorities to take immediate positive steps towards realizing the link of trade, travel and post between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits and the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

2.四項基本原則

字面英譯：the Four Cardinal Principles

常見釋譯：the Four Cardinal Principles (i.e. adhering to the socialist road, the people's democratic dictatorship, the leadership of the Communist Party of China, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought)

3.五好家庭

字面英譯：Five Virtues Family

常見釋譯：Five Virtues Family (outstanding in such five aspects as law-abiding, diligent study, family planning, domestic harmony, and industrious and thrifty management of the household)