L/O/G/O

Functional Theories of Translation

Scope

• Katharina Reiss’s early work on text type and language function

• Justa Holz-Manttari’s theory of translational action

• Hans J. Vermeer’s skopo’s theory which centered on the purpose of the TT

• Christiane Nord’s more detailed text analysis model which continued the functionalist tradition in the 1990’s

Katharina Reiss

Katharina Reiss

• (1970’s) Builds on the concept of equivalence but views the text , rather than the word or sentence as the level at which communication is achieved and at which equivalence must be sought.

• Her approach aims iniatially at systematizing the assessment of translation

Katharina Reiss

• Her approach borrowed Karl Buhler’s three way categorization of the function of language. Reiss links the three functions to their corresponding language ‘dimension’ and to the text type or communicative situations in which they are used.

Characteristic of Text Type

1. Plain communication of facts - informative

2. Creative Composition - expressive

3. Inducing behavioural responses – operative

4. Audiomedial text

Functional Characteristic of Text Type

Text Type and Text Variaties

Reiss (1977)

The transmission of the predominant function of the ST is the determining factor by which the TT is judged.

Criteria in TT adequacy

• Intralinguistic criteria – semantic, lexical, grammatical and stylistic feature

• Extralingual – situation, subject field, time, place, receiver, sender and affective implication (humor, irony, emotion, etc)

Aims of content - focused text

• Preserve semantic equivalence

• Metaphors should be retained in the translation of an expressive text than in the informative TT, where the translation of its semantic value alone will be sufficient

Allowable occasions when the function of the TT differ from ST

• The TT may have a different communicative function from the ST when

an operative election address in one language may be translated for analysis in

another country interested in finding out what polices have been presented and

how

Reiss’s work:

• Reiss’s work is important because it moves translation theory beyond

consideration of lower linguistic level, the mere words on the page, beyond even the effects they create, towards consideration

of the communicative purpose of translation

Criticism of Reiss’s work

• There are only three types of language function – Nord (1997) added the 4 th function – the ‘Phatic’ function (language that establish or maintain contacts between parties involved in communication)

Criticism of Reiss’s work (cont.):

• Others question how Reiss’s proposed translation method is to be applied in the case of specific text

example: metaphors in business and financial text

Criticism of Reiss’s work (cont.):

• Others question whether the text can really be differentiated.

• Translation method employed depends far more than just the text type. The translator’s own role and purpose, as well as socio cultural pressure also affect the kind of translation strategy

2. Translational Action (Holz-Manttari)

• Translational Action aims to provide a model and guidelines applicable to a wide range of professional translation situation

• It views translational action as purpose driven, outcome-oriented human interaction and focuses on the process of translation as a message

Justa Holz-Manttari

“It is not about translating words, sentences or text but it is in every case

about guiding the intended co-operation over cultural barriers enabling

functionally oriented-communication”

Process involved in translational Action

• The initiator – the company or individual who needs the translation

• The commissioner – the individual who contacts the translator

• The ST producer – the individual within the company who writes the ST, but not necessarily always involved in the TT productions

• The TT user – the person who uses the TT

• TT receiver – the final recipient of the TT

Problem: Sometimes translators primary goal is just to earn money secondary to

fulfilling contracts. The translator may also be a non-expert

Translational Action

• Focuses very much on producing a TT that is functionally communicative to the receiver. This means, for example, that the form and genre of the TT must be guided by what is functionally suitable in TT culture, rather than merely copying the ST profile. What is functionally suitable has to be determined by the translator whose role is to make sure that the intercultural transfer takes place satisfactorily

In the production of the TT, the ST is analyzed solely for its construction and function profile

1. Content, structured by what are called tectonics is divided into

a. Factual information

b. Overall communicative strategy

2. Form , structured by texture, is divided

into a. terminology

b. cohesive elements

Praise

“Holz-Mantarri’s concept of translational action is considered relevant for all types of translation and the theory is held to provide guidelines for every decision to be taken by

the translator”

Schaffner, 1997

Criticisms

• It fails to consider cultural differences in more detail

• Disregard of the ST – while ‘functionality is the most important criterion for translation, it does not allow translator absolute licence.