We call it a function. That is to say it has a function; it has a function within our understanding of the way in which a text has structure.

我们之所以称之为功能是因为它有功能;,我们文本结构的角度,去认识这种功能。

耶鲁公开课 - 文学理论导论课程节选

What it means is that in understanding a text, we are attempting to grasp it in paraphrase.

它是说，在理解文章时，我们在试着给它释义，并掌握它。

耶鲁公开课 - 文学理论导论课程节选