Text_Typology文本类型_赖斯

Text Typology文本类型赖斯（Reiss）

The theories concerning text type and translation are mostly based on the work done by Buhler in the 1930’s . Buhler’s idea is to categorize text on the basis of their main function. He defines three types: conative, expressive and representative.

Buhler’s ideas are further developed by Katharina Reiss (1971). Her text typology is 1) the informative text where the content is the main focus. (These texts do plain communication of facts, information, knowledge, opinions etc.); 2) the expressive text where the focus is on creative composition and aesthetics. (Both the author or the sender and the message are what are foregrounded. Imaginative creative literature exemplifies these texts. ); 3) the operative text where the focus is “appellative” by which what is meant is that the text appeals to the reader to act in a certain way, persuading, dissuading, requesting, and cajoling him. This form of language is usually dialogic or conversational.

In addition, Reiss defines a fourth category, audio-visual texts. This is a sort of mixed category, which can include texts from all the other categories, as long as they are intended for audio-visual media.