In 1970s, functional translation theory originated in Germany. Its development has gone through several stages.
The first stage: Katharinales introduced functional category into translation criticism for the first time, linked language function, text type and translation strategy, and developed a translation criticism model based on the relationship between source text and target text, thus putting forward the embryonic form of functionalism theory. Rice believes that the ideal translation should be a comprehensive communicative translation, that is, it is equivalent to the original in concept, content, language form and communicative function, but in practice, the functional characteristics of translation should be given priority.
The second stage: Vermeer put forward Skopos Theory, which freed translation from the shackles of the original central theory. According to this theory, the translation of the original text is an act based on a purpose and result, which must be completed through negotiation; Translation must follow a series of laws, including objective laws first. In other words, the purpose of translation depends on translation. In addition, translation must follow the "coherence rule" and "coherence rule". The former refers to the coherence of the translation within the target text recipient, which is understandable, while the latter refers to the coherence between the translation and the original text. After the introduction of these three principles, the evaluation standard of translation is no longer "equivalence", but fully considers whether translation achieves the expected goal. Vermeer also put forward the concept of appointed translation, that is, the translator should decide whether, when and how to complete the translation task. In other words, translators should adopt corresponding translation strategies according to different translation purposes, and at the same time have the right to decide which translation purposes can retain the original text and which need to be adjusted or modified.
Fumel believes that the highest law of translation should be "objective law". That is to say, translation strategies and methods are different for different purposes. In other words, the purpose of translation determines the strategies and methods of translation. Skopos theory has made a good explanation for domestication and foreignization, peer discussion and translation and dynamic equivalence in the past two or three decades. Whether translation is domestication or foreignization depends on the purpose of translation. As functional translation theory takes "objective principle" as the highest criterion, any translation activity has a purpose, and the ultimate purpose and main function of translation is to help people understand the main content of the film and stimulate the audience's desire. Therefore, we need to have a simple understanding of functional translation theory, especially the Skopostheorie school.
The third stage: Justa Hotz Manta put forward the translation behavior theory on the basis of communication and behavior theory, and further developed the functionalist translation theory, which regards translation as an interaction between people driven by purpose and oriented by translation results. The theory and purpose of Vermeer have a lot in common, and Vermeer once integrated them.
The fourth stage: Christina Nord's comprehensive summary and perfection of functionalism theory. For the first time, Christina Nord's Internal Cause and External Cause systematically expounded the discourse analysis in translation and the target translation strategy of how to establish translation function on the basis of the original text. Christina Nord carried out functionalism and put forward the principle of "function plus loyalty" to guide translators, thus perfecting this theory.