1. TRST 60010: Theory of Translation and Interpreting Week 6- Polysystem theory and descriptive translation studies
Institute for Applied Linguistics (Translation) Modern and Classical Language Studies Kent State University- Fall Erik Angelone

2. Shift in theoretical focus
up to now = focus has been on “how to translate” = rooted in linguistics
on the inside looking out
linguistics > skopos> discourse> sociocultural function
new focus = contextual (often extralinguistic) forces impacting translation
on the outside looking in
TC social, literary, historical systems > translated lit as a subsystem
polysystem theory = rooted in theory of Russian Formalists
examines translated lit as part of a social, cultural, literary and historical framework, each representing a system
system = multi-layered structure whose elements interact with each other
polysystem = is a stratified network of constantly changing interconnected sub-divisions, both literary and extraliterary
sub-divisions = economic, political, religious, ideological, linguistic, artistic, translation, literary, etc.

3. Polysystem theory and the notion of struggle
literary polysystem = of great relevance in the context of translation
set of factors governing the production, promotion and reception of these texts” (Shuttleworth)
within each sub-system = constant competition for the primary position
continuous tension between the center and the periphery
center forms = established and generally conservative
peripheral forms = “newcomers” challenging the center forms
In the context of the literary polysystem, this implies central and peripheral genres, poetic conventions, discursive conventions and literary institutions (such as the press)
What does the notion of competition imply in this context and what triggers this tension and struggle for the primary position?

4. Analyzing translation within polysystem theory
Translation is governed by a set of extraliterary (non-linguistic) factors (sub-divisions), including social conditions, economics, and institutional manipulation (e.g., patronage, censorship)
These impact the selection of texts to be translated, the manner in which the text is translated and how texts are received
How does this tie in with notions of function and equivalency?
The interrelationship between translation and literary polysystems
the age, strength and stability of the TC literary system impacts the function of translation within that TC
if translation is of peripheral importance in the TC, it tends to be conservative and follows existing literary conventions associated with the TC canon, as determined by literary works making up the center
In what situations is translation likely to be of peripheral importance?
if translation is of central importance in the TC, it introduces new norms, forms and models based on the SL conventions

5. Analyzing translation within polysystem theory
When does translation take on central importance?
1. When a literature is young or being established - canon not in place
2. When a literature is peripheral or weak and imports those literary types which it is lacking
Example = the Galicia region of Spain imports literary types in the more dominant Spanish form Castilian, thereby shaping and introducing new norms, forms and models. At the same time, Spain may import certain English-language literary types which they don’t have, thereby having their translation norms, forms and models re-shaped based on English-language conventions.
How might the translation of Palmer’s thriller tie in here?
3. When a literature is experiencing a crisis or a critical turning point
Example: post-reunification Germany

6. Impact on the translator
If translated lit assumes a central role
translators do not feel constrained to follow target lit models and are more prepared to break conventions
reproduce ST conventions (are adequate) not necessarily part of the TL conventions, thereby introducing new norms, forms and models
If translated lit assumes a peripheral role
translators are more bound to target lit models and are “faithful” to their conventions = no new SL conventions are introduced
resulting translations are non-adequate in relation to the SL, but acceptable from the TL perspective

7. Some discussion questions- polysystem theory
Do you agree or disagree with the following criticism of polysys theory?
Examines translated texts and groups of people in the system (e.g., critics, publishers, media, educational institutions), but not individual translators.
Does translation occupy a peripheral or central position in the U.S.? What about in your other culture? Have there been times in the past when it occupied a different position? What factors gave it that position, and what caused it to lose that position?
Can you think of any new forms (e.g., genres) that translation has introduced into a particular culture?

8. Another “turn”: From Prescriptive to Descriptive Translation Studies
DTS approach
Describes what translation actually is, as opposed to laying down rules for how it should be (prescriptive translation studies)
1. broadening the definition of “a translation”:
anything that is presented or regarded as a translation in a TC
2. broadening the definition of “equivalence”
any relationship between a ST and a TT
Focus of DTS research is on norms:
regularities in translation behavior in a particular socio-historical context; constraints governing the production and reception of translations

9. Descriptive translation studies: Norm types
Toury’s norm types show a direct connection with polysystem theory:
The manner in which a text is translated is determined by its position in the social and literary systems of the TC (central or peripheral)
initial norms = adequacy or acceptability?
adequacy = adherence to the linguistic, textual and genre norms of the SL
adequacy norm = making only obligatory translation shifts
when following this norm, the translator isn’t producing a TT per se, but rather a model language for the TL to “learn from”
This can introduce innovations on the target system or be written off as artificial
using the polysystem framework, when would translators do this?
acceptability = adherence to the norms of the TL system

10. Descriptive translation studies: Norm types
preliminary norms
determining existing translation policy and directness of translation
translation policy = factors determining the selection of texts for trans.
directness of trans = is trans direct or through an intermediary L
English often serves as this intermediary L; an example of such trans?
operational norms
describe the linguistic matter and presentation (structure) of the TT
matricial norms = decisions relating to the text’s organization above the sentence level
Flexibility (or lack thereof) in the superstructure, omissions, footnotes, etc.
textual-linguistic norms = selection of linguistic (lexical) items or literary devices to replace SL material
How will these various norms come into play when the translation is central in the polysystem? What about when it is peripheral? Discuss this in groups.

11. From norms to “laws” of translation
“Laws” of translation = supposed universals
1. Law of growing standardization
Textual relations obtained in the SL (original) are ignored more and more in favor of TL repertoire; agree or disagree with this “law”?
2. Law of interference
Interference from ST will impact the TT by default; agree or disagree?
What is your response to the following comment?
Some commentators (e.g., Berman 1995, 50–63) believe the norm concept is too deterministic and denies the role of free choice, and they argue that translators are social agents, not simply a passive conduit for reproducing target culture norms. Nevertheless, the existence of norms does not mean translators are robbed of individual choice. Toury (1995, 163) observes that “a translator always has more than one option at his or her disposal. However, it is not the case that all these options are equally available, given the constraints imposed by the target culture

12. Questions or comments? Homework for week 7:
Quiz 6, posted on Vista by tomorrow evening
Second written assignment topics posted by Saturday evening
Read week 7 handout, posted by Saturday evening
Read chapter 9 of Munday, excluding 9.5