Polysystem and Descriptive Translation Studies

The overarching system encompassing social, cultural, and historical forces that influence literature, including translated works.

Translated literature occupies a primary position within the polysystem when it promotes innovation and shapes the literary center of a culture.

Translated literature holds a secondary position when it conforms to the norms and conventions of the target culture, often playing a more conservative role.

Analyzes translations as cultural and literary products shaped by context and norms.

The initial decision to prioritize either source or target culture norms in a translation.

The translation process is determined by norms influencing various choices, including translation policy and directness.

Factors like presentation and linguistic adjustments made during translation, such as omissions or additions.

The concept that language choices made in texts reflect the sociocultural functions of the language itself.

The social and cultural context that influences how texts are produced and interpreted, including political and historical factors, and impacts genre conventions.

Connects social context to language by analyzing a text's subject matter (Field), relationships between participants (Tenor), and communication medium (Mode).

The aspect of language that represents the world and events, including the way actions and actors are portrayed.

The aspect of language that deals with social relationships and power dynamics, including politeness and formality.

The aspect of language that focuses on the text's structure and flow, including how sentences are organized and linked.

A model developed by House to assess translation quality by analyzing the register of both the source text (ST) and target text (TT), looking for mismatches in Field, Tenor, and Mode.

A translation that remains true to the source text's culture and conventions. Think of literal translations.

A translation that adapts the source text to target cultural conventions and norms. Think of dubbed films.

Different elements that influence how literature is created and received, including professional groups like critics and academics, and external forces like politicians and publishers.

The conscious choice to change a text's ideology or style, often to conform to dominant beliefs or literary norms.

Support from individuals or groups that provide resources, recognition, and social status to writers. It can involve ideological, economic, and social factors.

A situation where one entity controls all aspects of patronage, including ideological, economic, and social influence.

A situation where different entities control the ideological, economic, and social aspects of patronage, allowing for more independent creative expression.

The dominant literary styles, genres, symbols, and the way literature is perceived in society.

A literary work's status as a classic, often achieved through inclusion in educational systems and anthologies, reflecting these systems' conservative biases.

The idea that ideological and poetological considerations often outweigh linguistic factors in translation, affecting how a text is interpreted.

Translation theory analyzing the impact of colonialism on power dynamics in translation.

Examines how colonialism influences translation practices and power structures.

Critiques western feminism's reliance on hegemonic languages (like English) in translating "Third World" literature.

A style of translation that aims to blend different cultural voices into one, often erasing identity.

Translation scholars should deeply understand and respect the source language and cultural context.

Tejaswini Niranjana's critique of western translation studies' failure to acknowledge power imbalances between languages.

The space between languages and cultures where translation operates, potentially subverting colonial authority.

A translation approach that resists colonial frameworks and prioritizes preserving cultural difference.

The translator starts with an assumption that the source text has a clear and translatable meaning, like approaching a new language with a sense of wonder and trust.

The translator actively extracts meaning from the source text, similar to mining for valuable information. It's a forceful, yet necessary step to uncover the source's true meaning.

The source text's meaning is integrated into the target language, potentially enriching or even changing the target language's system.

The translator seeks a balance between the source and target texts, ensuring both are honored and enriched in the process.

Translation is not a one-way street, but a dynamic process where both source and target texts change and influence each other.

The translator needs to be aware of the power dynamics between languages and cultures, aiming for a translation that is respectful and ethical.

A translator's role is to honor the source text's cultural and ideological nuances, ensuring an accurate and respectful bridge between cultures.

Translation can either reinforce or challenge existing power imbalances, as it can amplify or diminish the voice of the source culture.

A translation process where the translator engages in a back-and-forth movement between the source and target texts, aiming for a balance between faithfulness to the original and understanding in the target culture. It emphasizes reciprocal understanding and dynamic interaction between languages.

The concept that translation is guided by its purpose or goal, known as the 'skopos.' This theory emphasizes that the translated text should be appropriate and functional for its specific context and audience in the target culture.

A rule in Skopos Theory that dictates the translated text must be internally consistent and coherent, making sense within its target context. This means that the translation should be logically structured and flow smoothly for the target audience.

A rule in Skopos Theory stating that the translation should maintain a connection to the source text, preserving key elements and meaning despite adjustments made for the target audience.

The degree to which a translation fulfills its purpose and satisfies the needs of the target audience. This is based on the intended function and context of the translated text.

A translation concept focusing on the functional equivalence between the source and target texts. This means that the translated text should achieve the same purpose and perform the same function as the original text in the target culture.

An approach to translation that integrates linguistic, literary, cultural, and specialized knowledge. This holistic view recognizes that translation is a complex process that involves understanding multiple layers of meaning.

A model that views translation as a communicative act with specific roles and functions. It emphasizes the purpose-driven nature of translation and the need for effective communication between stakeholders.