Translating as a Purposeful Activity

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

• Foreword to the new English editionIntroduction1. Historical OverviewEarly ViewsKatharina Reiss and the Functional Category of Translation CriticismHans J. Vermeer: Skopostheorie and BeyondJusta Holz-Mänttäri and the Theory of Translational ActionFuctionalist Methodology in Translator Training2. Translating and the Theory of ActionTranslating as a Form of Translational InteractionTranslating as Intentional InteractionTranslating as Interpersonal InteractionTranslating as a Communicative ActionTranslating as Intercultural ActionTranslating as a Text-Processing Action3. Basic Concepts of SkopostheorieSkopos, Aim, Purpose, Intention, Function and Translation BriefIntratextual and Intertextual CoherenceThe Concept of Culture and Culture-SpecificityAdequacy and EquivalenceThe Role of Text Classifications4. Functionalism in Translator TrainingA Translation-Oriented Model of Communicative Functions in TextsA Functional Typology of TranslationsNorms and Conventions in Functional TranslationSource-text Analysis, Translation Briefs and Identifying Translation ProblemsA Functional Hierarchy of Translation ProblemsTranslation Units RevisitedTranslation Errors and Translation Evaluation5. Functionalism in Literary TranslationActional Aspects of Literary CommunicationLiterary Communication across Culture BarriersSkopos and Assignment in Literary TranslationSome examples6. Functionalism Approaches to InterpretingThe Role of Interpreting in SpokostheorieTranslator Training: From Interpreting to TranslationA Functionalist Approach to Simulteanous Interpreting7. CriticismsCriticism 1: Not All Actions Have an IntentionCriticism 2: Not All Translations Have a PurposeCriticism 3: Functional Approaches Transgress the Limits of Translation ProperCriticism 4: Skopostheorie Is Not an Original TheoryCriticism 5: Functionalism Is Not Based on Empirical FindingsCriticism 6: Functionalism Produces Mercenary ExpertsCriticism 7: Functionalism Does Not Respect the OriginalCriticism 8: Functionalism Is a Theory of AdaptationCriticism 9: Functionalism Does Not Work in Literary TranslationCriticism 10: Functionalism Is Marked by Cultural Relativism8. Function plus Loyalty9. Future Perspectives at the end of the 1990sFunctionalism in the ProfessionFunctionalism in AcademiaFunctionalism in the English-speaking WorldFunctional Translation and Democracy10. Skopos Theory and Functionalism in the New MilleniumThe Academic WorldThe Wranslator’s WorkplaceFunctionalism in Legal TranslationFunctionalism in Literary and Religious TextsAdaptation and Transfer StudiesGlossaryBibliographical References