Relevance translation theory

Relevance translation theory belongs to the functional equivalence school of translation studies. The representatives of this school are American scholar Eugene A. Nida and German scholar Johannes P. Heineger. According to this theory, it is necessary to maintain the functional equivalence between the source language and the target language in the process of translation, that is, to ensure that the translation accurately and completely conveys the information expressed in the original text and realizes the same or similar pragmatic functions as the original text.

Asymmetric source language and target language

In relevance translation theory, the relationship between the source language and the target language is asymmetric. The source language refers to the whole language and cultural environment, while the target language is centered on the readers of the target language and their cultural environment.

Convey information, emotion and cultural information

According to this theory, the goal of translation is to convey the same information, the same emotional experience and the same cultural information as the original. Therefore, the task of translation is to make the target readers understand, accept and communicate with the original author.

Maintain functional equivalence

Relevance translation theory is an important school in translation studies, which emphasizes that translation should maintain functional equivalence between the source language and the target language in order to convey the specific information and emotional experience of the original text.