ABSTRACT
Functionalist and communicative translation theories advanced in Germany in the 1970s moved translation from a mainly linguistic phenomenon to being considered as an act of intercultural communication. Reiss’s initial work links language function, text type, genre and translation strategy. This approach was later coupled to Vermeer’s highly influential skopos theory, where the translation strategy is decided by the purpose of the translation and the function of the TT in the target culture. Skopos theory is part of the model of translatorial action also proposed by Holz-Mänttäri. The ST is ‘dethroned’, and the translation is judged not by equivalence of meaning, but by its adequacy to the functional goal of the TT situation as defined by the commission. Nord’s model, designed for training translators, retains the functional context, but includes a more detailed text-analysis model. More recent technological developments in digital text production have seen the focus shift to more multimodal texts, combining different semiotic modes, and to the creation of new and hybrid web genres. The translatorial action itself now ranges from the management of industry-centred localization processes to user-generated fansubs and volunteer translation practices.
