This video describes one of the functional theories in translation. It is known as a Skopos theory. Skopos translates from Greek as ‘purpose’. Skopos theory defines a translation’s purpose, and the purpose of the action of translating. It was introduced in the 1970s by a German linguist called Hans J. Vermeer.

Vermeer was motivated to introduce a new theory into translation which set itself apart from the age-old translation debates: free vs faithful, formal vs dynamic, etc.

Essentially, Skopos theory doesn’t just focus on the linguistic side of translation. Vermeer saw and defined translation as producing a target text for a specific purpose, for a specific reader, under specific circumstances.

It is criticized because it gives too much attention to the target text and audience.
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