A study investigated the role of audience awareness in translation of lexical items, specifically as it may affect translation from English to Chinese. The audiences, or readership, in this case is defined as readers from three different regions in which Chinese is used predominantly: Hong Kong; mainland China; and Taiwan. The varieties of Chinese used in these areas are first examined, and the implications for translators of non-standard vocabulary due to differing political, economic, and social structures are noted. Data drawn from several widely-read newspapers in the three regions are then analyzed for lexical variation. Analysis includes: lexical items used uniquely in Hong Kong, mainland China, or Taiwan; instances in which a single referent has three different lexical items in the three areas; instances in which two lexical items are used for the same referent in the three regions; lexical differences between Hong Kong and mainland China; lexical differences between Hong Kong and Taiwan; lexical differences due to different transliteration methods; convergence of lexical items; and lexical borrowing. The need for translators to check regional lexical usage in each translation instance is underscored. Contains 2 references. (MSE)