Descriptive Translation Studies and Norms Neslihan Kansu-Yetkiner ETI 301 Descriptive Translation Studies and Norms Neslihan Kansu-Yetkiner

Toury and DTS Early work(1970s) was within polysystem theory. Sociocultural study of lit. translated into Hebrew between 1930-1945; 1980: In Search of a Theory of Translation 1995: Descriptive Translation Studies – And Beyond

DTS: proposed methodology Focus is on description of translations, seen as texts in their own right, which occupy a place within the TL social and cultural system; translation strategies employed are a result of the position of Ts within the TC. Translated texts exist as “replacements” of specific ST in the receiving culture, so the idea is to describe them, trying to identify possible regular patterns (norms) that govern decisions in translation. The aim is NOT to judge a TT as correct or incorrect.

In other words, once a text is published as the translation of another text, it is, de facto, accepted as equivalent to the ST. So, translation equivalence, becomes a fact, an empirical matter, (Gentzler:128) to be analysed rather than assessed against the ST for a presumed or ideal correctness.

Three-phase methodology for systematic DTS Situate the text within the target culture system, looking at its significance or acceptability. Compare the ST and TT for shifts, identifying relationships between ‘coupled pairs’ of ST and TT segments, and trying to formulate generalizations about the underlying concept of translation. (1995: coupled pairs are chosen ad hoc, i.e., they differ in different case studies; flexible approach) Draw implications for decision-making in future translating. (Munday: 112)

NORMS of translation behaviour The objective of case studies is to “make generalizations regarding the decision-making processes of the translator and then to reconstruct the ‘norms’ that have been in operation in the translation.” (Munday:113) “Norms are options that translators in a given socio-historical context select on a regular basis.” (Baker quoted in Munday: 113)

Toury takes his definition of norm from sociology Toury takes his definition of norm from sociology. He defines a norm in the following way: “the translation of general values or ideas shared by a community - as to what is right and wrong, adequate and inadequate - into performance instructions appropriate for and applicable to particular situations, specifying what is prescribed and forbidden as well as what is tolerated and permitted in a certain behavioural dimension […]. (Toury 1995: 55)

Norms can be reconstructed from: Analysis of texts, which will reveal regular patterns of behaviour, i.e., recurring correspondences between ST and TT segments) Explicit statements about norms by translators, publishers, reviewers, etc. (which can, however, be biased).

The initial norm determines the global approach of the translator with respect to the following two polar alternatives: the translator submits himself or herself to the textual relations and norms embodied in the source text (adequacy); or the translator follows the linguistic and rhetorical norms of the target language and culture (acceptability).

Preliminary norms decide on overall translation strategy and the choice of text to be translated. Operational norms control the actual decision made during the act of translation.

Operational norms direct decisions made during the translating process with respect to specific levels. Operational norms affect the matrix of the text, the distribution of linguistic material, and actual verbal formulation. Matricial norms govern the existence of target language substitute material, its location in the text, and textual segmentation. Textual-linguistic norms govern the selection of target language material to replace source text material (Toury 1995: 58-59).

Laws of translation Law of growing standardization (TL patterns predominate) (esp. if T occupies a peripheral position in the target system) Law of interference (SL patterns predominate and are ‘copied’ in the TT) (esp. tolerated when T is from a prestigious culture into a minor culture)

Andrew Chesterman’s T norms (1997) Chesterman’s norms (1997) Expectancy norms – expectations of readers – Allow evaluative judgements – Validated by a norm-authority Professional norms – Accountability norm = ethical – Communication norm = social – ‘Relation’ norm = linguistic (between SL and TL)

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