Functional Theories in Translation

Study Notes

Functional theories emerged in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, shifting focus from linguistic equivalence to considering text type.
Key concepts include identifying and classifying text types and genres.
Translation approaches vary based on text type/genre (e.g. different translation methods for an advertisement versus an academic article).

Katharina Reiss's early work on text type.
Justa Holz-Mänttäri's translatorial action model.
Hans J. Vermeer's skopos theory (translation success hinges on fulfilling the purpose of the target text).

Reiss built on the concept of equivalence at the text level, not word or sentence level.
Her functional approach aims for a systemic evaluation of translations.
Reiss borrowed three language functions from Karl Bühler (1879-1963):
- Informative
- Expressive
- Appellative

Informative:
- Language Function: Representing objects and facts
- Language Dimension: Logical
- Text Focus: Content-focused
- Translation Method: "Plain prose", explication as needed
Expressive:
- Language Function: Expressing sender's attitude
- Language Dimension: Aesthetic
- Text Focus: Form-focused
- Translation Method: Identifying method, adopting the ST author's perspective.
Operative:
- Language Function: Making an appeal to the receiver
- Language Dimension: Dialogic
- Text Focus: Appellative-focused
- Translation Method: Adaptive, equivalent effect elicitation.

Informative: Provides information, facts, knowledge, etc. (logical/referential language)
Expressive: Focuses on the aesthetics and author's perspective/style (aesthetic use of language is foregrounded).
Operative: Aims to persuade or induce a particular behavior in the receiver (dialogic and appellative functions).
Multimodal texts (those including audio and visual components) are considered a fourth type (e.g., advertisements, films)

The model visually represents text types (informative, expressive, operative) and their position relative to each other.
Specific text genres are placed in relation to the functions (e.g., reference works are highly informative, while plays are expressive).

Some texts combine elements from different types.
Biographies, for instance, might contain elements of informative and expressive content.
Important to identify the predominant function when translating hybrid texts.

Translatorial Action Model (Holz-Mänttäri)

This model considers translation as a communicative action, taking concepts from communication and action theories.
Aims to provide guidelines for various professional translation situations.
Views translation as a purposeful, outcome-oriented interaction between people.

Initiator: The entity needing the translation (e.g., company, individual).
Commissioner: The entity contacting the translator (e.g., person, company).
Source Text Producer: Individual(s) creating the original text.
Target Text Producer: The translator(s).
Target Text User: The intended audience using the translated text.
Target Text Receiver: The final recipient of the target text (e.g. students, customers).

Informative: Transmit the full content; avoid redundancy and use explication where needed; aim for a neutral, factual tone.
Expressive: Convey the aesthetic form; adopt author's perspective; precision in conveying author's intent.
Operative: Aim for the intended response; employ "adaptive" method ensuring results in the target culture; accommodate stylistic changes to achieve desired effect.
Multimodal: Supplement written material with visuals and audio (e.g., movies, ads).

Technical terms in the source text may require adjustments for a non-technical target audience (e.g., replacing medical terms with simpler explanations).
Maintain consistency in translation by using a single term for a given concept.