The Polysystem

Question 1

Itamar Even-Zohar - The Polysystem theory (definition)

Answer 1

literature is part of a complex system (the Polysystem) of various interconnected and interacting systems and sub-systems. This system includes different kinds of literary works (like poetry, prose, drama) as well as non-literary texts (such as journalistic, technical, or advertising texts). The Polysystem is dynamic and hierarchical, with different types of texts occupying different positions at different times.

Question 2

Role of translated literature in the Polysystem

Answer 2

• can play a huge role in shaping the literary norms and trends within a culture (styles, genres, ideas etc)

Question 3

Primary vs secondary position of translated literature in the Polysystem

Answer 3

1. Primary

• whenever trans. lit occupies a central/influential role in the polysystem
• happens in young or weak literary systems that lack original texts (translations fill gaps)

2. Secondary

• in established (strong) literary systems. They have enough original texts that function in the canon. Trans. lit. adheres more closely to the established norms rather than introduces new ones.

Question 4

Gideon Toury - Translation norms
(definition)

Answer 4

• Translation norms are conventions in translation within a specific cultural and historical context.
• General tendencies or patterns of behavior that translators tend to follow.
• NOT fixed, shaped by cultural, social, and institutional factors and can vary across different times and places.

Question 5

Gideon Toury - function of translation norms

Answer 5

They can influence how translators make decisions:

• what texts are selected
• what strategies are employed in the trans. process
• help determine what makes an acceptable/valid translation in a given context

Question 6

Gideon Toury - types of norms

Answer 6

1. Initial norms
2. Preliminary norms
3. Operational norms

Question 7

Gideon Toury - Initial norms

Answer 7

Initial norms govern the translator’s overall approach to a translation task. They include:

adequacy and (vs) acceptability

a) Adequacy
how closely a translation adheres to the ST norms

b) Acceptability
conforms to to TC norms

Question 8

Gideon Toury - operational norms

Answer 8

Operational norms guide the actual act of translating. They include:

Matricial norms and (vs) textual-systemic norms

a) Matricial norms
relate to the translator’s decisons regarding linguistic/textual features of the trans. (vocabulary, syntax, grammar, text structure)

b) Textual-systemic norms
govern the position of the translation within the target culture’s literary system (including genre conventions and stylistic preferences)

Question 9

Gideon Toury - preliminary norms

Answer 9

a) translation policy
b) directness of translation