What is a 'translation type'?

Translation Type usually refers to whether a translation is more literal or dynamic (meaning-based). 

A literal translation (also known as 'formal equivalent') is a word-for-word translation.  

A dynamic (meaning-based, also known as 'functional equivalent') is a thought-for-thought translation.  The focus is on conveying the meaning intended by the source text in as natural a way as possible in the target language.