Scope Theory

Scope theory is a concept in the field of translatology. Scope is a word of Greek origin (in Greek, σκοπός), and means "purpose."

It was formulated by the linguist Hans Vermeer (Skopostheorie). It implies the idea that translation and interpretation must take into account, in the first place, the function of the source and target texts. Paul Kussmaul writes about this theory: "The functional approach has a great affinity with scope theory. The function of a translation depends on the knowledge, expectations, values ​​and norms of the readers of the translated text, who in turn are influenced by the situation in which they are immersed and by culture.These factors determine whether the function of the source text or of some passages in that source text can be preserved, or whether it should be modified or changed in translation.

As Christiane Nord points out, the primordial principle that conditions any translation process is the purpose to which translational action is directed. This is characterized by its intentionality, which is a defining characteristic of any action.

wiki