The Purpose Theory of Translation

Hans Vermeer proposed the purpose theory of translation, which suggests that translation is a purposive and result-oriented activity based on the original text. This activity must be carried out through negotiation, and translation must adhere to a series of rules, with the purpose rule taking precedence. In other words, the translation depends on the translator's purpose. Vermeer believed that the highest rule in translation should be the "purpose rule," meaning that the purpose of translation determines the strategies and methods employed. The functional translation theory, which takes the "purpose principle" as the highest criterion, asserts that all translation activities are purposive. For example, in the case of translating movie titles, the ultimate goal and primary function are to help people understand the main content of the movie and stimulate viewers' desire to watch it. In general, the purpose principle and the translation approach must ensure that the translated text fulfills the users' expected functions in their context.

Here are some examples:

Example 1: Wet paint!

Literal Translation: 湿油漆！

Functional Translation: 小心油漆！(Be careful with the paint!)

This sentence is a typical translation of a public notice intended to warn or alert. If translated literally as "湿油漆" (wet paint), the sense of warning or alertness would be lost, failing to achieve the original purpose. Adjusting the translation using communicative translation, "小心油漆" (Be careful with the paint) not only describes the situation and conveys information but also makes the readers feel cared for and protected, achieving the intended purpose of the public notice.

In the history of translation, the translations of "Dream of the Red Chamber" by Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang differed significantly from those by David Hawkes in many details. This discrepancy stemmed from their different cultural backgrounds and translation purposes. Yang Xianyi and Gladys Yang aimed to introduce Chinese traditional culture to target language readers and believed in showcasing China's rich cultural heritage to foreigners. On the other hand, David Hawkes was eager to share the joy of the book with target language readers and focused on how to make the work more enjoyable for them. Based on these different translation purposes, they employed varying strategies and methods in handling the cultural information within the original text.

Example 2:

The original text: 怡红院

Yang's translation: Happy Red Court

David's translation: The House of Green Delights

The significant difference in the translation of "怡红院" (Yi Hong Yuan) between Yang and David can be attributed to their distinct cultural backgrounds. In traditional Chinese culture, red symbolizes happiness, auspiciousness, and other positive meanings, while in Western culture, red can connote bloodshed, danger, violence, or death. Therefore, to achieve the same effect as the original red in the target language culture, David took into account his readers' cultural background and translated "红" (red) as "green."

Even though translation may involve different strategies and purposes, it should never be limited to superficial word conversions. It is essential to consider the context and purpose of the original text to determine whether the translation can produce the same effect.

◀️：The True Essence of Translation

▶️：A Brief Analysis of the Importance of Context in the Translation Process