Polysystem theory : its prospect as a framework for translation research

Document Type

Journal article

Source Publication

Target

Publication Date

1-1-2001

Volume

13

Issue

2

First Page

317

Last Page

332

Keywords

Cultural turn, Descriptivism, Ideology, Norm, Politics, Polysystem, Polysystem theory, Translation studies

Abstract

This article deals with three interrelated issues: First the ‘cultural turn’ of Itamar Even-Zohar in contrast to the ‘cultural turn’ in Translation Studies, then the application of an augmented version of Polysystem theory in a short case study, and finally the question of objectivity and neutrality in descriptive polysystem studies. It is argued that Polysystem theory and other cultural theories of translation, be they descriptive or politically committed, can be mutually enriching rather than incompatible, and that, with some augmentation and further development, it may serve as an adequate framework for research into the ‘external politics’ of translation.

DOI

10.1075/target.13.2.07cha

Print ISSN

09241884

Funding Information

This research has benefited from financial and logistical support from the Research Committee and Arts Programme of Lingnan University, Hong Kong.

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2001 John Benjamins Publishing Company. Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.

Full-text Version

Publisher’s Version

Language

English

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