Theories of Translation

Theories of translation explore how to faithfully transfer meaning from one language to another. They consider different approaches, such as "equivalence" (matching the original's meaning and style), "functional" (focusing on the purpose of the translation), and "skopos" (prioritizing the intended audience and context). Some emphasize literal, word-for-word translation, while others favor adaptation to ensure the message resonates culturally. These theories help translators decide how to balance accuracy, readability, and cultural relevance, guiding them to produce translations that are both faithful and effective in the target language.