This document discusses the importance of purpose in translation. It defines purpose as conveying the original intent while accounting for cultural differences. The concept of "skopos" or aim was introduced in the 1970s to emphasize translating for a specific purpose. The document stresses that clients should clearly communicate their purpose to translators so the appropriate translator can be selected to help achieve the desired goal. It provides examples of different translation purposes such as legal documents, marketing materials, and websites that would require different translator specializations and skills. Throughout, the document underscores how understanding purpose is vital for effective collaboration between translators and clients.

2. What is purpose in translation
To “Convey the original tone and intent of a message, taking
into account cultural and regional differences between source
and target languages” (Globalization and Localization
Association)

3. Skopos
“Skopos” is a Greek word for “aim” or “purpose” that was
introduced into translation theory in the 1970s by Hans
Vermeer. This went on to become the technical term for the
purpose of a translation and the act of translating for that
purpose.

4. Purpose for translators and clients
Translators create texts for clients who may be around the
corner, in the same city or on the other side of the world, but
these clients are not always good at communicating with
translators in terms of explaining what they want or need
when asking for a translation (sometimes they don’t actually
know themselves!).

5. The most important question
What is it that you want to do with your translation?
The second most important aspect to consider is how will a
translator help you achieve your purpose?

6. Reasons for translation
For example, if you want to respond to a request for proposal
put out by a foreign company, you will need a translator with
strong legal skills and an understanding of the technical
aspects of your industry.

7. Reasons for translation
If you have a sales brochure that you want to translate so that
it can be used at an overseas trade show, you will need a
translator who can write good copy in the target language
and who will be able to advise on other elements such as
appropriate images to use, style and format.

8. Reasons for translation
If you are planning to expand into a new market and want to
translate your website into another language. In this case, you
will need a translator who understands your product as well as
web design and user experience, but who can also advise you
on culturally sensitive or linguistic issues that may need to be
addressed.

9. Exchanges between authors and translators
Can fine tune nuance and style and result in a translation that
flows like the original and fulfils its purpose.

10. Purpose in interpreting
In general, if you are organising a conference for a group of
people with several languages, you will require a pair of
conference interpreters for each language combination. This is
because a conference interpreting is an intense job for
interpreters and working in pairs allows them to switch every
30 minutes.

11. Purpose in interpreting
If you are welcoming a delegation from abroad into your
organisation, you will need a business interpreter who is fluent
in both your language and that of the delegation and who
also has some knowledge about your sector of business
activity.

12. Purpose in interpreting
If you find yourself in need of assistance in the justice system,
you will need an interpreter who is familiar working in police
and court setting, who not only knows how to use legal
vocabulary perfectly, but who also understands the processes
and conventions involved.

13. Collaboration with interpreters
Interpreters prepare and research their assignments in
collaboration with the client in order to understand subject
matter and relevant terminology. They are present in the
communicative context and are active partners in the
communication.

14. Responsibility for purpose in practice
Sits both with the translator and the client. The translator must
clearly articulate their areas of expertise and specialisations,
and from a client’s perspective, properly communicating
purpose might actually save you money in the translation
process.