CAPITOLO 7
System theories
Polysystem theory
Was developed in the 1970s by Even Zohar. The literary work is studied as part of a literary
system which is defined as a system of functions of the literary order which are in continual
interrelationship with other orders.
Even-Zohar emphasizes that translated literature operates as a system:
1 in the way the TL selects works for translation;
2 in the way translation norms, behaviour and policies are influenced by other co-systems.
Even-Zohar focuses on the relations between all these systems to which he gives a new term, the
polysystem, which is defined as follows: The polysystem is a heterogeneous, hierarchized
conglomerate of systems.
This 'dynamic process of evolution' is vital to the polysystem, indicating that the relations between
innovatory and conservative systems are in competition. The position of translated literature is not
fixed either. It may occupy a primary or a secondary position in the połysystem. If it is prímary, 'it
participates actively in shaping the centre of the polysystem'.
Even-Zohar gives three major cases when translated literature occupies the primary position in the
polysystem:
1 when a 'young' literature looks initially to *older' literatures for ready-made models;
2 when a literature is 'peripheral' or 'weak' and imports those literary types which it is lacking.
3 when there is a critical turning point in literary history at which established models are no longer
considered, sufficient, or when there is a vacuum in the literature of the country.
If translated literature assumes a secondary position, then it represents a peripheral system within
the polysystem. It becomes a conservative element, preserving conventional forms and conforming
to the literary norms of the target system. Even-Zohar points out that this secondary position is the
'normal' one for translated literatures.
Even-Zohar suggests if the translated literature position is primary, translators do not feel
constrained to follow target literature models on the other hand, if translated literature is secondary,
translators tend to use existing target- culture models for the TT and produce more 'non-adequate'
translations.
Genztler think that polysystem theory represents an important advance for translation studies. The
advantages of this are several:
1 Literature itself is studied alongside the social, historical and cultural forces.
2 Even-Zohar moves away from the isolated study of individual texts.
3 The non-prescriptive definition of equivalence and adequacy allows for variation according to the
historical and cultural situation of the text.
Also outlines criticisms of polysystem theory. These include:
1 overgeneralization to 'universal laws' of translation based on relatively little evidence;
2 an over-reliance on a historically based Formalist model.
3 the tendency to focus on the abstract model rather than the 'real-life'.
4 the question as to how far the supposed scientific model is really objective.
Polysystem theory has had a profound influence on translation studies.
Toury and descriptive translation studies
Gideon Toury focused on developing a general theory of translation. Toury calls for the
development of a properly systematic descriptive branch of the discipline to replace isolated free-
standing studies that are commonplace.
