目的学派于二十世纪七、八十年代在德国兴起，是从静态的语言学、语言类型学中剥离出来的。其中的代表人物有，Reiss，Vermmer，Nord 等。Reiss（1971，1988，2000）强调的是文本层面的对等，主张文本的类型和翻译策略结合起来； Holz-Manttari（1984）则认为在翻译过程是一个交际、互动的过程，涉及各种各样的角色。Vermmer（2000）继承并发展了Reiss的观点。

重要参考文献
Nord, C. (1997). Translating as a purposeful activity: functionalist approaches explained. Manchester: St. Jerome.
Reiss, K. (1981). Type, kind and individuality of text: Decision Making in Translation. Poetics Today, 2(4), 121-131.
Reiss, K. (1989). Text types, translation types and translation Assessment. Readings in Translation Theory, Finland, Oy Finn Lectura Ab, 105-115.
Reiss, K. (2000). Translation criticism-the potentials & limitations. Manchester: St. Jerome and American Bible Society.
Vermeer, H. J. (1989/2000). Skopos and commission in translational action. Readings in Translation Theory, 97.

领域前沿
Jeremy Mundy
　http://www.surrey.ac.uk/lcts/cts/staff/munday.htm
Target
　http://www.benjamins.nl/cgi-bin/t_seriesview.cgi?series=Target
Translation Resources (Mona Baker’s website)
　http://www.monabaker.com/tsresources/
Translation Research Webring (Douglas Robinson’s website)
　http://www.translationresearch.com/webring/