Christiane Nord's model of translation, rooted in functionalist theories like Skopos

theory, focuses on functionality and loyalty in translation. It provides a systematic

approach to translation that balances the purpose of the translation with respect for the
source text (ST). Nord’s model emphasizes the translator's role as a mediator between
cultures and considers the needs of both the source text author and the target
audience.

Key Concepts in Nord's Model

1. Translation Brief (Auftrag):

o A central feature of Nord’s model is the translation brief, a document
or set of instructions outlining:
 The purpose of the translation.
 The target audience's needs.
 The intended medium (e.g., print, digital).
 The stylistic and cultural preferences of the target culture.
o The translation brief helps the translator decide on the appropriate
strategies for the task.
2. Functionality and Loyalty:
o Functionality: The translation should fulfill the intended purpose for
the target audience in their cultural and linguistic context.
o Loyalty: Translators must remain loyal to the intentions of the source
text author while respecting the translation brief. This avoids
excessively free translations that might misrepresent the source text.
3. Intratextual and Extratextual Factors:
o Nord analyzes translation through extratextual (external) and
intratextual (internal) factors that influence the translation process:
 Extratextual Factors:
 Sender (author or source text producer).
 Receiver (target audience).
 Medium (how the text is presented, e.g., spoken,
written).
 Purpose (intended function of the translation).
 Place, time, and motive of text production and
reception.
 Intratextual Factors:
 Content, form, structure, lexicon, style, and tone within
the source text.
4. Text Analysis:
o Nord encourages a detailed analysis of the source text, including its:
 Function: Why was the text created? What purpose does it
serve in the source culture?
 Coherence: Is the text internally consistent and logical?
 Culture-Specific Elements: What cultural references need
adaptation or explanation?
5. Translation Problems:
o Nord identifies four types of translation problems:
  Pragmatic Problems: Differences in the communicative
situations of the source and target cultures (e.g., audience
expectations).
 Cultural Problems: Culture-specific elements (e.g., idioms,
traditions, or values).
 Linguistic Problems: Differences in grammar, syntax, and
vocabulary.
 Text-Specific Problems: Issues unique to the individual text
(e.g., style or genre-specific conventions).

Steps in Nord’s Translation Process

1. Analyze the Source Text:

o Identify the text’s function, audience, and context.
o Understand the cultural and linguistic features of the text.
2. Consult the Translation Brief:
o Determine the purpose of the translation and how it will be used.
o Decide whether the target text will serve the same function as the
source text (functional equivalence) or a different one (adapted
equivalence).
3. Plan Translation Strategies:
o Decide whether to use direct translation, adaptation, or cultural
substitution based on the brief and source text analysis.
4. Produce the Target Text:
o Ensure the translation aligns with the target culture’s norms and the
purpose outlined in the brief.

Examples of Nord’s Model in Practice

1. Informative Text Translation

 Source Text (English):

"The product contains allergens such as nuts, soy, and dairy."
 Translation Brief:
o Purpose: Provide clear allergen information for Arabic-speaking
consumers.
o Audience: General public.
 Translation (Arabic):
o "‫يحتوي المنتج على مسببات الحساسية مثل المكسرات وفول الصويا ومنتجات الألبان‬."
o Explanation: The translation focuses on clarity and neutrality,
adhering to the functional purpose.

2. Literary Text Translation

  Source Text (English):
"The cold wind whispered through the empty streets, carrying with it the scent
of rain."
 Translation Brief:
o Purpose: Retain the poetic and evocative quality of the text for Arabic
readers.
 Translation (Arabic):
o "‫ تحمل معها عبق المطر‬،‫همس الرياح الباردة عبر الشوارع الخالية‬."
o Explanation: The translation emphasizes aesthetic and emotional
resonance, ensuring loyalty to the source text's expressive function.

3. Advertisement Translation

 Source Text (English):

"Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime offer!"
 Translation Brief:
o Purpose: Persuade Arabic-speaking consumers to take action quickly.
 Translation (Arabic):
o "‫"!لا تفوت هذه الفرصة التي لن تتكرر‬
o Explanation: The persuasive function is maintained, adapting the tone
to suit Arabic marketing norms.

Advantages of Nord’s Model

1. Purpose-Oriented:
o By focusing on the translation brief, Nord’s model ensures the
translation meets its intended function.
2. Practical and Flexible:
o The model accommodates various text types and cultural contexts,
making it versatile.
3. Focus on the Translator’s Role:
o It highlights the translator’s active role as a mediator between cultures.
4. Combines Functionality and Faithfulness:
o The balance between functionality (target text) and loyalty (source
text) helps avoid extreme literalism or excessive freedom.

Criticism of Nord’s Model

1. Dependence on the Translation Brief:

o In practice, translators may not always receive a detailed or clear brief,
making it challenging to apply the model effectively.
2. Complexity:
 The detailed text analysis required can be time-consuming, especially
o
for shorter or less critical texts.
3. Subjectivity:
o Determining the balance between functionality and loyalty can be
subjective and vary by translator.

Conclusion

Christiane Nord's translation model is a practical and functional approach that

integrates cultural sensitivity, textual analysis, and purpose-driven strategies. It
provides a comprehensive framework for translators working between languages as
distinct as English and Arabic, ensuring translations meet the needs of the target
audience while respecting the source text.

Christiane Nord's translation model distinguishes between instrumental and

documentary translations. These terms reflect the function of the target text (TT) in
relation to the source text (ST) and the purpose of the translation.

Instrumental Translation

Definition:

Instrumental translation produces a functionally independent text that serves as a

standalone document in the target culture. The TT is adapted to meet the needs and
expectations of the target audience while achieving the intended purpose (skopos).

Key Features:

1. Adaptation: The TT may differ significantly from the ST in style, tone, or

cultural references to ensure that it is meaningful and natural to the target
audience.
2. Functionality: The TT may fulfill the same or a different function as the ST
but is adapted to the cultural and linguistic norms of the target audience.
3. Focus on Target Audience: It prioritizes the needs, expectations, and context
of the target audience over strict fidelity to the ST.

Examples:

1. Advertisement:
o ST (English): "Unleash your potential with our revolutionary
software!"
o Instrumental Translation (Arabic): " ‫حقق إمكانياتك الكاملة مع برنامجنا‬
‫"!الرائد‬
 The translation modifies the tone to resonate with Arabic marketing
norms.
2. Children’s Literature:
o Translating a fairy tale to include culturally relevant names, idioms, or
settings that Arabic-speaking children can relate to.

Documentary Translation

Definition:

Documentary translation produces a faithful representation of the ST, preserving its

form, structure, and cultural references. The TT functions as a "document" of the
original, reflecting the ST's linguistic and cultural features.

Key Features:

1. Faithfulness to the Source: Emphasis on fidelity to the ST’s structure,

content, and form.
2. Reader Awareness: The TT is often used in contexts where the target
audience needs to understand the ST’s cultural or linguistic nuances, such as
in academic or legal texts.
3. Function of the Source: The TT may fulfill the same function as the ST, but
with minimal adaptation to the target culture.

Examples:

1. Legal Translation:
o ST (English): "This agreement is legally binding under the
jurisdiction of the state of California."
o Documentary Translation (Arabic): " ‫يعتبر هذا الاتفاق ملزمًاقانونيًابموجب‬
‫سلطة ولاية كاليفورنيا القضائية‬."
The translation maintains the ST's legal specificity without alteration.
2. Historical Texts:
o Translating ancient Arabic manuscripts into English while preserving
their stylistic and cultural idiosyncrasies for scholarly purposes.

Comparison: Instrumental vs. Documentary Translation

Documentary Translation Instrumental Translation Aspect

Reflects and documents the Standalone, independent function in
Function
source text the target culture
Minimal adaptation, maintains Significant adaptation for target Audience
ST structure audience Adaptation
Cultural
Low or no cultural localization High degree of cultural localization
Adjustment
 Documentary Translation Instrumental Translation Aspect
Legal, academic, historical, or Advertisements, localization,
Use Cases
religious texts literary texts

Application to English-Arabic Translation

Instrumental Example:

 ST (English):
"Kickstart your career with our online learning platform!"
 Instrumental Translation (Arabic):
"‫"!ابدأ مسيرتك المهنية مع منصتنا التعليمية عبر الإنترنت‬
o The translation focuses on persuasive tone and cultural resonance,
ensuring the message appeals to the Arabic audience.

Documentary Example:

 ST (English):
"According to Article 5, the tenant must pay the rent by the 5th of each
month."
 Documentary Translation (Arabic):
"‫ يجب على المستأجر دفع الإيجار بحلول اليوم الخامس من كل شهر‬،5 ‫وفقًاللمادة‬."
o The translation preserves the legal tone and structure of the ST without
alteration.

Strengths and Challenges

Strengths:

1. Flexibility: The distinction allows translators to approach texts with clear

strategies based on purpose and audience.
2. Cultural Sensitivity: Instrumental translation ensures relevance and usability
in the target culture.
3. Faithfulness: Documentary translation supports accuracy and fidelity,
especially for specialized texts.

Challenges:

1. Hybrid Texts: Some texts may combine elements requiring both approaches,
complicating decision-making.
2. Audience Expectations: Balancing loyalty to the ST and adapting to the
target audience can be subjective.
3. Context Dependence: The choice between instrumental and documentary
translation heavily depends on the translation brief, which may not always be
explicit.
Conclusion

Nord’s instrumental and documentary translation models highlight the importance of

purpose and audience in translation. They are particularly useful in navigating the
complexities of English-Arabic translation, where cultural and linguistic differences
often require careful consideration. By distinguishing between these approaches,
translators can better meet the demands of diverse contexts, from creative adaptations
to precise legal translations.