SKOPOS THEORY

Skopos theory, based on the action theory in translation was proposed by Hans
Vermeer, a renowned Germen translator and linguistic with approach on Indian
languages such as Urdu and Hindi as well as Portuguese. Through out his life he
had taught above mention languages in different universities Heidelberg the very
place from where he got his PhD degree.
His theory Skopos as from name focuses on the purpose of translation. According
to Vermeer himself a text is written on purposes and translation is also done
based on some purpose. this theory does not provide any steps or outline for the
translation process, only rule it follows is that your translation, interpretation
must serve its purpose by which it means that it must make the sense to audience
according to the given situation. In other words, while translation translator must
not focus on how the source text is written or how it functions but what is the
purpose of translation or what kind of effect is required from translated text on
the audience. This theory initially came into existence in late 60’s and early 70’s
when the debate of equivalence in translation was also on its peak. Vermeer’s
theory like the theories of Christian Nord, Snell-Hornby, and Reiss, is in collision to
equivalence as its focus is target language and target audience so clearly source
text is dethrone as a result. This theory has a functional approach towards
translation. As the purpose of translation of a text from one language to other is
basically for communication between two different culture so the preference
should be target culture and audience, in this case translator must came up with
the translation which is functional in target text. This concept has broken the
limits set by limits set by “equivalence translation” and have made translation
possible at larger scale.

Translation Brief: -Translation brief is explained in above lines as every

translation has a purpose, it may be anything: a students wants to translate his
degree, some government documents, an author wants to his book to be
translated, a scientist his research, in any case process of translation was started
by a someone with a purpose to target in their mind so above mention translation
have different purposes and translation must serve accordingly.
 Intratextual Coherence: - Relation between the translated text and reader or
we can say it is comprehensibility of translation to receiver, how much is it
according to his context or situation. If his purpose is achieved, then translation is
good or otherwise vice versa.

Intertextual Coherence: - Comprehensibility between source text and the

translated text is called intertextual coherence. How much target text is making
sense or transmitting its meaning or purpose in comparison to source text?

Criticism on Skopos Theory: - Many renown translators, linguistics, and

theologians such as Peter Newmark, House and koller etc. criticize skopos theory
for its short comings among these were especially those who supported
equivalence in translation. Many objections were raised by different linguistics
which are mentioned as follows: -
1. According to some it is not necessary to have purpose behind all actions such as
arts or literature. May be during the translation process translator himself do not
have such a purpose.
2. As the theory is based on functionalism which is a common observation in human
behavior so it cannot be regarded as original theory. Also,
3. that functional approach may let the translation be gone beyond translation as
according to equivalence translator cannot add anything from himself as it may
affect adequacy of translation.
4. It is not appropriate for many translations such as religious text in which
translator may cause alteration and cause deviation in divine message.

Conclusion: - Skopos theory of Vermeer is in accordance with the free translation

and allow translator with many options. It makes the transfer of information from
source text to target text easy and convenient for both translator and reader.
However, every theory has its own strong and weak points so does skopos. Its
concepts are still in use and applied worldwide where required.