Theory of Translation 1 Introduction

2.10.4 Reiss and Vermeer: Skopos Theory 
In 1984, the German Scholars, Katharina Reiss and Hans J. Vermeer published a 
book, 
‘Foundation for a General Theory of Translation’
in German. They directly 
challenged the previous theory of translation that insists on faithfulness to the source 
text. Vermeer claims to ‘dethrone’ the source text and go beyond the prevailing 
source bound equivalence theories. 
The theory deals with the ‘purpose’ of translation activity which he calls ‘Skopos’. 
According to this theory, the target side purpose (Skopos) is dominant factor in a 
translation activity. The translator needs to know the specific aims of the act of 
translation. In this regard, Anthony Pym explains that “the linguistic frame of the 
equivalence paradigm becomes much wider, bringing in a series of professional 
relationships” (Pym, 43). The Skopos theory makes use of the key concepts in 
pragmatics like intention and action. The two basic assumptions made in this theory 
are: 

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(1)
Skopos Rule 1: Interaction is determined by its purpose. 
(2)
Skopos Rule 2: Purpose varies according to the text receiver (Hatim, 74). 
In skopos theory, translation is governed by various factors: textual and contextual. 
One of them is the intention of the receiver of the translated text. The intention of the 
audience determines the strategy of translation to be adopted. Different translation 
strategies could be adopted for the different purposes.
In line with this theory, it can be said that the translator’s choices need not be 
dominated by the criteria of equivalence. Anthony Pym explains that there could be 
some exceptions to this theory like translation of a legal agreement which may be 
adapted to target side textual norms. In this regard, Vermeer explains:
Each text is produced for a given purpose and should serve this purpose. The 
skopos rule thus reads as follows: translate 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 (qtd. in Hatim, 74). 
Anthony Pym enlists the principles of ‘Skopos theory’ as follows: 
(1)
The translator’s decisions are ultimately governed by the purpose of the 
translations. 
(2)
The purpose of what translators do (‘translatorial action’) can be to produce 
equivalence to various aspects of the source text, or to engage in between. 
(3)
The one source text can be translated in different ways to suit the different 
purposes. 
(4)
A key factor in defining the purpose of the translation is the job description 
given by the client or negotiated with the client. 
(5)
In the last analysis, the purpose of the translation is defined by the individual 
translator, working in relation to all the other social factors involved. (56). 
The theory frees the translator from the inconvenience caused by equivalence 
paradigms and gives autonomy to the translator for his decisions regarding the 
‘purpose’ of translation. The translation has to be carried out according to the 
objectives (purpose) of the act. The different purposes may create different versions 
of translation. It helps to decrease the translator’s anxiety regarding equivalence. The 

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purpose of translation activity is defined by a variety of social factors. The ‘Skopos 
theory’ is a milestone in the development of translation studies as it has liberated the 
act of translation from the age old theories of fidelity.