Presentation

By

Habibeh Khosravi

In this session we will look at a group of theories that have been opposed to equivalence paradigm.These theories propose that a translation is designed to achieve a purpose.The purpose of the translation is seen as independent from the purpose of source text.Equivalence means “same function”,But most TTs have a new function for a new client and for a new receiver (on the target side).Equivalence is thus a special case,as is the case in Reiss’s theory of text type.where the purpose is not the same,there is no equivalence.

Skopos is a Greek word for purpose,aim or intended function. Its basic idea is that the translator should work in order to achieve the skopos of the translation rather than just follow the source text as in directional equivalence theory.The skopos rule seems to mean that the translator’s decision should be made in accordance with the reasons why someone asked the translator to do the translation.It could also mean that the dominant factor is what the target text user wants the translation for.Thedetermining factor might be what the translator thinks the purpose should be.

Vermeer explains the skopos rule as follows:

Each text is produced for a given purpose and should serve this purpose.The skopos rule thus read as follows: Translate/interpret/speak and write in a way that enables your translation to function in the situation in which it is used and with the people who want to use it and precisely in the way they want it to function.The important point here is the skopos rule doesn’t say how a text should be translated.It simply tells the translator where to look for indications about way to translate.

Skopos:The purpose or aim of the translation.Thefunction it is supposed to carry out in the situation of reception.

Skopos theory:The set of propositions based on the idea that the target-side skopos or purposes has priority in the translator’s decisions.Thistheory is only one part of the purpose paradigm,alongside other theories that also talk about purposes as functions.without giving priority to the target side.

Brief:Instructions the client gives to the translator.

Translatorial:Adjective to describe qualities of translators,as opposed to the adjective”translational” used to describe qualities of translations.

Translatorial action:All the actions carried out by a translator,one of which may be translating.

Translatory:adjective to describe the translation process.

The equivalence paradigm was prominently represented in German by Werner Koller.Hesaid that the way you translate depends on the function of the text or fragment you are translating. For example:if a peom is functioning primarily on the level of form,thenyou should primarily seek equivalence on the level of form.

Reiss was another theorist working within equivalence paradigm.

She had proposed that different text types require different kinds of translation solutions.She recognized three basic text types:Expressive,operative,informative.

Reiss’position has been called functionalist.her main idea is that the way we translate depends on the function of the text we are translating.

Christian Nord gives an extensive description of how texts should be analyzed prior to translation.

Nord certainly recognized that translations can have functions different from their start text,yet the main weigh of her analyses has tended to fall on the start side.

Marry Snell-Hornby placed a similar functionalism at the heart of her influential ‘integrated approach’. The basic message underlying these theorist was that one should translate the functions of texts,not the word or sentences on the page.

Of course,that message can be traced back as far as cicero.Since it is essential to the concept of equivalence.Hornby and Nord opposed their functionalism to the equivalence paradigm but the concept of equivalence had developed precisely so that the dynamic categories could be distinguished from literalism.(Mein kampfexample)(page 48,3rd paragraph).

For vermeer,the translator would have to give priority not to how the original text functioned,but to the effect the text is supposed to have on the target reader.

Holz-Mänttäri argues that with the progressive division of social labour,peoplebecome experts in different fields and thus incresingly have to work with each other in order to achieve anything substantial.Translators thus become experts in cross-cultural communication,cooperatingwith experts in other fields in order to reach shared goals.Translating is by nature a cooperative act.

She introduces specific terminologies for example:

Message transmitter instead of text.Translatorial action instead of translating.Texter insteadof translator.

She highlights the professionality of translation. In translatorial action, a text is professionally produced for a specific purpose in a specific situation.The translator is an expert for the production of transcultural message carriers,which are

Used by the clients in their communicative actions in order to achieve some aim in in their communicative interactions.

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