Skopos Theory.doc

SkoposTheory(2012-11-30 22:29:56) 1. (translation studies) The idea that translating and interpreting should primarily take into account the function of both the source and target text. 2.o 1995, Paul Kussmaul, Training The Translator, John Benjamins Publishing Co, p. 149: 2. The functional approach has a great affinity with Skopos theory. The function of a translation is dependent on the knowledge, expectations, values and norms of the target readers, who are again influenced by the situation they are in and by the culture. These factors determine whether the function of the source text or passages in the source text can be preserved or have to be modified or even changed.Introduction to the Skopos TheoryThe Skopos theory is an approach to translation which was put forward by Hans Vemeer and developed in Germany in the late 1970s and which oriented a more functionally and socioculturally concept of translation. Translation is considered not as a process of translation, but as a specific form of human action. In our mind, translation has a purpose, and the word “Skopos” was from Greek. It’s used as the technical term for the purpose of the translation.翻译目的论，"skopos"是希腊语“目的”的意思。

其核心概念是翻译过程的最主要因素是整体翻译行为的目的1. Introduction to the Skopos TheoryThe Skopos theory is an approach to translation which was put forward by Hans Vemeer and developed in Germany in the late 1970s and which oriented a more functionally and socioculturally concept of translation. Translation is considered not as a process of translation, but as a specific form of human action. In our mind, translation has a purpose, and the word “Skopos” was from Greek. It’s used as the technical term for the purpose of the translation. In the frame work of this theory, one of the most important factors determining the purpose of a translation is the address, who is the intended receiver or audience of the target text with their world language. Every translation is directed at an intended audience. The theory focuses above all on the purpose of the translation, which determines the translation methods and strategies that are to be employed in order to produce a functionally adequate result. Vermeer regards it as an “offer of information” that is partly or wholly turned into an “offer of information” for the target audience. From this view, the status of the source is clearly much lower in Skopos theory than the equivalence theory.Ⅰ.Introduction of the Skopos TheorySkopos theory is the nucleus of German Functional School. The main idea of Skopos theory is that translators should hold the thought from the perspective of the target readers during the process of translation. Therefore, translators should bear in mind what the function of translation text is, what the target readers demand is and even what communicative situation is. Consequently, the choice of translation strategies is decided by the purpose of the translation text,in order to achieve a better function text.　　There are three main rules which are skopos rule, coherence rule and fidelity rule.　　1.Skopos RuleSkopos is a Greek word for"aim"or"purpose". "The top-ranking rule for any translation is thus theskopos rule,which means that a translation action is determined by its skopos;that is,the end justifies the means"by Reiss and Vermeer.Vermeer also stresses on many occasions that the skopos rule is a general rule,and translation strategies and methods are determined by the purpose and the intended function of the target text.　　2.Coherence Rule　　The coherence rule states that the target text"must be interpretable as coherent with the target textreceivers situation".In other words,the target text must be translated in such a way that it is coherent for the target text receivers,given their circumstances and knowledge.　　In terms of coherence rule,the source text is no longer of most authority but only part of the translation beliefe.It is only an offer of information for the translator,who in turn picks out what he considers to be meaningful in the receivers situation.2. Fidelity Rule　　Translation is a preceding offer of information. It is expected to bear some relationship with the corresponding source text.Vermeer calls this relationship "intertextual coherence" or "fidelity". This is postulated as a further principle, referred to as the "fidelity rule" by Reiss and Vermeer in 1984.The fidelity rule merely states that there must be coherence between the translated version and the source text　　4.The Relationship among the Rules　　Fidelity rule is considered subordinate to coherence rule,and both are subordinate to the skopos rule.If the skopos requires a change of function,the criterion will no longer be fidelity to the source text but adequacy or appropriateness with regard to the skopos.And if the skopos demands intra-textual incoherence,the standard of coherence rule is no longer vivid.Skopos theorySko。