A Functional Approach to Medical Translation: a Skopos Theory-based Study

Abstract

This study investigates how skopos theory explores translation strategies in medical texts, focusing on the translator's role in ensuring coherence and effective communication of health information. From a functional perspective, a critical analysis is carried out on selected texts provided by a U.S. health institution in charge of providing patients with healthcare information. The texts are originally published in the English language and translated into Arabic. The paper aims at assessing the translator’s fidelity and the impact of translation methods on the clarity of medical information addressed to laypeople who are not specialized in medical terminology and have limited knowledge in this field. The study concludes that intratextual and intertextual coherence can be achieved via specific translation strategies such as explicitation, addition and substitution while other strategies, such as literal translation may fail to convey medical information to the target audience. The findings highlight the translator's crucial role in ensuring that non-experts understand health information. Applying skopos theory prioritizes the target audience's needs, leading to more effective communication and improved accessibility.