rewrite it completely is not quite the same as translate it completely. I would think a rewrite makes it not plagiarism while an accurate translation makes it plagiarism. A rewrite means more change then a translation does. But I suppose it is a matter of semantics.
A proper translation IS rewriting.
Did you ever read a book that wasn't written in the authors language? Which name was on the cover? The translators?
Yes it is a matter of semantics, and you are wrong.