Functionalist Approaches To Translation Criticism

The present thesis focuses on the application of Functionalist approaches in translation criticism, which seems to have lagged behind the development of translation practice - its object - by hinging on such notions as faithfulness and equivalence. It is argued that Functionalist approaches to translation, when applied to translation criticism, can help lift translation criticism from the single-perspective of equivalence approach to a multi-perspective understanding of translation practice. With the intended function of the target text (skopos) as its top principle, the Functionalist approaches incorporates into translation criticism such elements as the texts, the translation agents, and the target situations, thus offering a more objective and dynamic perspective. 'Adequacy' with regard to the translation skopos is proposed as an important norm in evaluating translations. The thesis also touches upon the concrete procedures a critic will be engaged in when applying Functionalist approaches, so as to make our statement not only theoretically sound but practically accessible as well. Lin Shu' rendition of Uncle Tom s Cabin ?a much-debated translation ?is taken as an example for the proposed criticism model. Functionalist approaches to translation criticism reveals that Lin's translation strategies are justified for the better part although it is not beyond reproach.