5.2 Translational action o

7 The translational action model proposed by Holz-Manttari (Translatorisches jj Handeln: Theorie und MetJiode)³ takes up concepts from communication the- *+•

ory and action theory with the aim, amongst others, of providing a model *5

and guidelines applicable to a wide range of professional translation situ- Wi

ations. Translational action views translation as purpose-driven, outcome-oriented human interaction and focuses on the process of translation as message-transmitter compounds (Botsclraftstrager im Verbund) involving intercultural transfer:

[It] is not about translating words, sentences or texts but is in every case about guiding the intended co-operation over cultural barriers enabling functionally oriented communication.

(Holz-Manttari 1984: 7-8; translated)

Interlingual translation is described as 'translational action from a source text' and as a communicative process involving a series of roles and players (pp. 109-11):

• the initiator: the company or individual who needs the translation;

• the commissioner: the individual who contacts the translator;

• the ST producer: the individual within the company who writes the ST, not necessarily always involved in the TT production;

• the TT producer: the translator;

• the TT user: the person who uses the TT; for example as teaching material or sales literature;

• the TT receiver: the final recipient of the TT; for example the students in a TT user's class or clients reading the translated sales literature.

These players each have their own specific primary and secondary goals. The text selected by Holz-Manttari for her detailed case study (pp. 129-48) are the instructions for installing a compost toilet. The roles of the different participants in the translational action are analyzed. In the case of the profes­sional translator faced with such a text, the likely goals are primarily to earn money, and secondarily to fulfil the contract and to process the text message (p. 138). According to the analysis given, the translator may be a non-expert both in the text type and specific subject area. Extra input of subject-area knowledge would need to come from the ST writer within the company.

Translatorial action focuses very much on producing a TT that is func­tionally communicative for the receiver. This means, for example, that the form and genre of the TT must be guided by what is functionally suitable in the TT culture, rather than by merely copying the ST profile. What is func­tionally suitable has to be determined by the translator, who is the expert in translational action and whose role is to make sure that the intercultural transfer takes place satisfactorily. In the 'translational text operations' (the term Holz-Manttari uses for the production of the TT), the ST is analyzed

FUNCTIONAL THEORIES OF TRANSLATION

SKOPOS THEORY

79

solely for its 'construction and function profile' (pp. 139-48). Relevant features are described according to the age-old split of 'content' and 'form' (p. 126):

1 Content, structured by what are called 'tectonics', is divided into

(a) factual information and (b) overall communicative strategy.

2 Form, structured by 'texture', is divided into (a) terminology and

(b) cohesive elements.

The needs of the receiver are the determining factors for the TT. Thus, as far as terminology is concerned, a technical term in an ST manual may require clarification for a non-technical TT user. Additionally, in order to maintain cohesion for the TT reader, a single term will need to be translated consist­ently (p. 144).