System Theories & Relevance

Theory
A. PolySystem Theory
• One of the most influential theories on translation in the 20th century
was Itamar Even-Zohar's Poly-system theory.
• Influenced by Russian Formalist, Even-Zohar developed the poly-
system theory in the early 1970s while trying to come up with a
model for Hebrew literature.
• The theory was not originally propounded for translations, but was
later used to understand the position of translations and their
function.
A. PolySystem Theory
• Originally published in French and was published in English in the
year 1978
• Gideon Toury, a younger scholar, expanded it further and came up
with the theory of norms in translation.
• Formalism believed in the ‘literariness' of a work, or the innovative
qualities that make that work unique.
A. PolySystem Theory

Tynyanov's question was how could one figure out innovation in a work
if one did not know the tradition?
A. PolySystem Theory
Literary
Traditions
(suggested
by Tynyanov)

Non-Literary
Translations
Systems
PolySystem
of
Literature

Literary
Literary Genre
Systems (suggested
by Tynyanov)
A. PolySystem Theory
• Translations played a role in the system
• It can occupy primary or secondary positions in the system
B. Manipulation Theory
• Theory developed by Hermans
• Acts in contrats to other linguistic theories
• Translation not as a science, but rather an art
• Translation is a process of manipulating the Source Text into a form
that is acceptable in the Target Language itself and its culture
C. Aesthetic-Communication Theory
• Creativity-oriented for literary translation
• Aesthetic communication between translator and target reader
• Where Literary Translation is not only informative but also expressive
• Works in a semantic and aesthetic binary function
• Has dynamic texture of vivid styles
• No room for monotony, dullness, & stagnation
• Designed to arouse the reader’s suspense, or please them and/or
invite their interest
• Outputs should look as if it’s AN original rather THE original
C. Aesthetic-Communication Theory

“…for the original composition is the art of choosing the exactly right
word or expression, and includes the option of changing and
modification as deemed appropriate whereas the art of literary
translation is the art of choosing among a set of possible
compromises….” – Adams.
C. Aesthetic-Communication Theory
• Translators become critics, creators, encoders, decoders, and
appreciators in this kind of system
• Word-for-word translation will inevitably distort the sense and syntax
of the original text.

“Word-for-Word translation does not find mercy in our eyes, not

because they are against the law of translation, but simply because two
languages are never identical in their vocabulary.”
D. Relevance Theory
• Developed by Sperder and Wilson who emphasize the ‘interpretive
use’ of language is distinct from the ‘descriptive use’
• Relevance theory is not a descriptive-classificatory approach.
• Does not give an orderly description of complex phenomena by
grouping them into classes.
• Tries to understand complexities in communication in terms of cause-
effect relationship
D. Relevance Theory
• The theory tells how information-processing allows us to
communicate with one another
• Focuses on mental aspects
• Shifts from description to explanation