Article published in:
Target
Vol. 13:2 (2001) ► pp. 317–332

Polysystem theory

Its prospect as a framework for translation research

| Lingnan University, Hong Kong
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.
Keywords: polysystem, polysystem theory, norm, translation studies, cultural turn, ideology, politics, descriptivism
Article outline
  • 1.Two ‘cultural turns’
  • 2.An augmented version of Polysystem theory in action
  • 3.The question of objectivity and neutrality
  • 4.Concluding remarks: Where shall we go from here?
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 13 June 2002
https://doi.org/10.1075/target.13.2.07cha
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