2nd Edition

Translating as a Purposeful Activity Functionalist Approaches Explained

By Christiane Nord Copyright 2018
    166 Pages 6 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    166 Pages 6 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This bestselling text is a comprehensive overview of functionalist approaches to translation in English. Christiane Nord, one of the leading figures in translation studies, explains the complexities of theories and terms in simple language with numerous examples. Covering how the theories developed, illustrations of the main ideas, and specific applications to translator training, literary translation, interpreting and ethics, Translating as a Purposeful Activity concludes with a concise review of both criticisms and perspectives for the future. Now with a Foreword by Georges Bastin and a new chapter covering the recent developments and elaborations of the theory, this is an essential text for students of translation studies and for translator training.

    Introduction

     

    1. Historical Overview

    Early Views

    Katharina Reiss and the Functional Category of Translation Criticism

    Hans J. Vermeer: Skopostheorie and Beyond

    Justa Holz-Mänttäri and the Theory of Translational Action

    Fuctionalist Methodology in Translator Training

     

    2. Translating and the Theory of Action

    Translating as a Form of Translational Interaction

    Translating as Intentional Interaction

    Translating as Interpersonal Interaction

    Translating as a Communicative Action

    Translating as Intercultural Action

    Translating as a Text-Processing Action

     

    3. Basic Concepts of Skopostheorie

    Skopos, Aim, Purpose, Intention, Function and Translation Brief

    Intratextual and Intertextual Coherence

    The Concept of Culture and Culture-Specificity

    Adequacy and Equivalence

    The Role of Text Classifications

     

    4. Functionalism in Translator Training

    A Translation-Oriented Model of Text Functions

    A Functional Typology of Translation

    Norms and Conventions in Functional Translation

    Source-text Analysis, Translation Briefs and Identifying Translation Problems

    A Functional Hierarchy of Translation Problems

    Translation Units Revisited

    Translation Errors and Translation Evaluation

     

    5. Functionalism in Literary Translation

    Actional Aspects of Literary Communication

    Literary Communication across Culture Barriers

    Skopos and Assignment in Literary Translation

    Some examples

     

    6. Functionalism Approaches to Interpreting

    The Role of Interpreting in Spokostheorie

    Translator Training: From Interpreting t Translation

    A Functionalism Approach to Simulteanous Interpreting

     

    7. Criticisms

     

    8. Function plus Loyalty

     

    9. Future Perspectives at the end of the 1990s

     

    10. Skopos Theory and Functionalism in the New Millenium

     

    Glossary

     

    Bibliographical References

    Biography

    Christiane Nord is Professor Emerita of Translation Studies and Specialized Communication at the University of Applied Sciences of Magdeburg, Germany, and Visiting Professor at several universities of the People’s Republic of China. She also holds the position of Professor Extraordinary and Research Fellow at the University of the Free State, South Africa. Her homepage can be found at www.christiane-nord.de.

    "This widely used and highly popular book is back – in revised form. With an added chapter on the spread of functionalism throughout the world and numerous small revisions, it promises to keep functionalism growing. Both students and researchers should find it enlightening and challenging – of both theory and practice."

    Kobus Marais, University of the Free State, South Africa

    "This timely new edition of Christiane Nord’s landmark work takes functionalist approaches into the next generation. The consideration of recent trends and applications reflects the author’s deep vision and pedagogical talent. The result is a most comprehensive and readable overview for anyone seeking to understand translation as professional communication."

    Fernando Prieto Ramos, University of Geneva, Switzerland