Chapter 7 Systems theories

Polysystem theory Developed in the 1970s by Itamar Even-Zohar. A literary work is studied as part of a literary system. Polysystem is conceived as a heterogeneous, heirarchized conglomerate (or system) of systems which interact to bring about ongoing, dynamic process of evolution within the polysystem as a whole. Criticism of the polysystem theory. p 110

Toury and descriptive translation studies Toury calls for the development of a properly systematic descriptive branch of the discipline to replace isolated free-standing studies that are commonplace. A proposal of a three-phase methodology for systematic DTS: Situate the text within the target culture system, looking at its significance or acceptability. Compare the ST and the TT for shifts, identifying relationships between ‘coupled pairs’ of ST and TT segments. Attempt generalizations, reconstructing the process of translation for this ST-TT pair.

The concept of norms of translation behaviour Definition of norms: The translation of general values or ideas shared by a community – as to what is right or wrong, adequate or inadequate – into performance instructions appropriate for and applicable to particular situations. The norms that have prevailed in the translation of a particular text can be reconstructed from two types of sources: The examination of texts, the products of norm-governed activity. Explicit statement made about norms by translators, publishers, reviewers and other participants in the translation act.

Subjection to source norms subjection to target culture norms Toury’s initial norm and the continuum of adequate and acceptable translation Initial norm Subjection to source norms subjection to target culture norms Adequate translation acceptable translation Preliminary norms Preliminary norms Translation policy directness of translation Operational norms Matricial norms textual-linguistic norms Operational norms

Laws of translation The law of growing standardization. The law of interference. Toury’s model in action Discussion of Toury’s work Gentzler, 1993 lists four aspects of Toury’s theory that have had an important impact on translation studies. p.115

Chesterman’s translation norms A proposal of another set of norms: 1. Product or expectancy norms: Allow evaluative judgments Validated by a norm- authority 2. Professional norms. The accountability norm ethical The communication norm social The relation norm linguistic

Other models of descriptive translation studies; lambert and van gorp and the manipulation school The paper by Jose Lambert and Hendrik van Gorp (1985/2006) ‘On describing translations’ They divided the scheme into four sections: Preliminary data Macro-level Micro-level Systemic context