a part of chapter 4 of Exploring translation studies by Anthony pym

1. Presentation
By
Habibeh Khosravi

2.  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.

3.  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.The
determining factor might be what the translator
thinks the purpose should be.

4.  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.

5.  Skopos:The purpose or aim of the translation.The
function 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.This
theory 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.

6.  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.

7. The equivalence paradigm was prominently
represented in German by Werner Koller.He
said 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,then
you should primarily seek equivalence on the
level of form.
Reiss was another theorist working within
equivalence paradigm.

8.  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.

9.  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.

10.  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 kampf
example)(page 48,3rd paragraph).

11.  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.

12.  Holz-Mänttäri argues that with the
progressive division of social labour,people
become 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,cooperating
with experts in other fields in order to reach
shared goals.Translating is by nature a
cooperative act.

13.  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

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

16. Thank you for
listening to my
presentation