Originally written by Fouad El karnichi on March 15, 2009 10:19 AM I agree with Jacek. This a very important point to highlight : Seems that the translator is bound by the T's and Conditions of the Brief  and the Commissioner , plus other social factor (both linguistic and extra linguistic factors)...Its NO more JUST the ST or ST writer that -mainly orients/guides- the translator.Faithfulness to ST is one element inside the production/decision making chain. The commisioner is  the one who pays the translation . He / she demands in the brief requests on his translations ( be it special terminology +use of a specific style +use of various verbal+non verbal strategies to address a specific adrresses/culture  ...ect . In this case the translator can inetrvene as a consultant and negotiate or give advice of some "cultural" issue the client might not be aware of -before translating ......or double check issue with the publisher if teh translator is unsure about some problems he /she encounters and does not want to proceed without consulting the commisioner   after all they -commisioners- pay the translation.This happens mostly in business , publishing ,technical, marketing , literary translations- Generaly.

This is the point of skopos theory and other functional translation theories. It amazes me that it took hundreds of years to get to that point!

As for interpreting. My guess of the reason behind the wpm benchmarks is that theorists tend to look at the question from a cognitive perspective rather than from the perspective of the physical act of speaking. Given that ST wpm is one of the few variables that can be controlled for studies, it is the one they always talk about.

Originally written by Jonathan Downie on March 16, 2009 10:31 AM ...This is the point of skopos theory and other functional translation theories. It amazes me that it took hundreds of years to get to that point! ...

There must be a flaw in the Danish translation degree programs, for I have never, not once, come across the term 'Skopus Theory'.

So, here's an explanation, in the form of an article, for those of you also unfamiliar with this term. 

http://www.accurapid.com/journal/46skopos.htm

by Zhao Ning
English Department, Sanjiang University, China

Abstract

The Skopos theory posits that translation is produced for particular recipients with specific purpose(s) in a given situation. The maturing of the Skopos theory results in the dethroning of the source text and the de-mystification of "equivalence," foregrounding the significance and implication of "purpose" that contributes to the translation as a sort of social construction.

Theoretical background of Skopos

n 1980s, translation was increasingly conceptualized as cultural transfer rather than a linguistic operation. Translation is appreciated as socially-enacted communicative practices, which is oriented towards the function of the target text (Snell-Hornby 1990). Regarding translation as one type of social action, Vermeer (1989a) claims that translation is produced for particular recipients with specific purpose(s) in a given situation (Skopos). A translator accomplishes his/her translation assignment with such purpose(s) in mind. The specification by the client on the translator's task (commission) is treated as an essential prerequisite for the realization of Skopos. According to Vermeer (1989a), the goal of the translational action and the conditions under which the anticipated goal shall be attained are negotiated between the client and the translator. The translator assumes authority as an expert, who is consulted with and has right to decide what role the source text could play in his/her professional job. The target text is "functional" to fulfil the expectations and needs of target audience. Vermeer (1989b:20 in Nord 1997: 29) explains Skopos rule as follows: "[T]ranslate/interpret/speak/write in a way that enables your text/translation to function in the situation in which it is used and with the people who want to use it and precisely in the way they want it to function." ...

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And yet, the first time the term "skopos" appeared on TC Fora was in 2004...

Originally written by Jacek K. on March 16, 2009 11:53 AM And yet, the first time the term "skopos" appeared on TC Fora was in 2004...

Hmn...I did a search before I posted, but couldn't find any reference to the term.

Can you take me by the hand and lead me to the 2004 post where the term is used? 

Nanna

You may have mistyped it, dear Nanna...

Translatology = scatology?

Originally written by Jacek K. on March 16, 2009 12:05 PM You may have mistyped it, dear Nanna...

Right! If not for my hand in yours I would have committed hari kiri

Nanna

No problem.  It was my fault really, Nanna. I assumed that since skopos thoery is one of the few practical theories that most translators would have heard of it.  My bad. To be honest, all it really does is tell a lot of non-literary translators what they already know: to keep the client happy, give them the product they want and one that achieves their purpose.

For anyone who feels like researching it I recommend "Translation as a Purposeful Activity" by Christiane Nord. Oh and in reference to the post linked above my school did both theory and practice. Personally, i find skopos theory an ideal framework for justifying decisions to clients when I do something that they query.

Originally written by Jonathan Downie on March 16, 2009 12:36 PM  Oh and in reference to the post linked above my school did both theory and practice.

Oh, dear. There must be a near fatal flaw in the Danish educational system ...

Nanna 

Originally written by Nanna Mercer on March 16, 2009 12:45 PM There must be a near fatal flaw in the Danish educational system ...

Thank God he is not talking about elementary schools. You can always catch up later...

Originally written by Jacek K. on March 15, 2009 11:50 PM Originally written by Nanna Mercer on March 16, 2009 12:45 PM There must be a near fatal flaw in the Danish educational system ... Thank God he is not talking about elementary schools. You can always catch up later...

Grr.  I meant my interpreting school.  We have four hours a week of conference interpreting, four hours a week of translation and two hours a week of theory. We also had classes in revising/editing/summarising and in European politics. Study time (including extra time in the booth and essays, exams etc) probably accounted for about the same hours as classes if you were a dutiful student.