Translating As A Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Approache

Description: 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.

Review: "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

Contents: Introduction 1. Historical Overview Early Views Katharina Reiss and the Functional Category of Translation Criticism Hans J. Vermeer: Skopostheorie and Beyond Justa Holz-Manttari 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

Author 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.