According to Skopos theory, what is the primary determinant of a successful translation?

According to Skopos theory (نظرية الغرض), the primary determinant of a successful translation is its *functionalityin the target culture*. Skopos theory, developed by Hans Vermeer, emphasizes that the purpose, or 'skopos' (σκοπός in Greek, meaning 'aim' or 'purpose'), of the translation is paramount. This means that a translation is considered successful if it fulfills the intended function for the intended audience in the target culture, even if it deviates from strict fidelity to the source text. The theory posits that translation is a communicative act, and the translator should make decisions based on *what the translation is intended to achieve*, rather than being solely bound by the source text's linguistic and cultural features. The 'skopos' can be determined by the client, the commissioner of the translation, or the translator themselves, and it should be clearly defined before the translation process begins. This skopos dictates the strategies and techniques the translator will employ. Therefore, *adequacyto the intended purpose takes precedence over equivalenceto the source text. For instance, if a technical manual is being translated for practical use by technicians, accuracy and clarity are more important than maintaining the stylistic nuances of the original. In contrast, if a poem is being translated for an academic audience, the skopos might involve preserving the aesthetic qualities and cultural context of the original, even if it requires some adaptation for the target audience. A successful translation, according to Skopos theory, is one that *effectively achieves its defined purposein the target culture, regardless of how closely it adheres to the source text on a linguistic or cultural level. The translator is therefore a communicative expert who adapts the text to meet the specific needs and expectations of the target audience.