The polysystem theory, developed by Israeli researcher Itamar Even-Zohar in the 1970s, represents an important turning point in the field of translation studies. This theory redefines the position of translated works within the target culture, and challenges traditional approaches that view translation as merely a secondary activity. According to Even-Zohar's fundamental assumption, translated literature plays a dynamic role within the literary system of the target culture and has the power to shape that system. Therefore, translation is not merely a process of linguistic transfer, but also an area of innovation, transformation, and cultural interaction.
Theoretical Basis and Main Principles
Even-Zohar defines the concept of “polysystem” as “a whole which is formed by interconnected subsystems”. Within this structure, original texts, translated works, and even non-literary texts coexist and interact. In this sense, literature is not a static field but a variable system nourished by social, historical, and cultural conditions.
At the center of the polysystem theory lies the “center-periphery” relationship. According to this, some texts in the literary system occupy a central position, while others occupy a peripheral position. Texts at the center are generally considered “canonized,” while those at the periphery are seen as “non-canonized.” This distinction depends not on formal characteristics but on external factors such as the cultural values of society, period trends, the interests of the target audience, and ideological tendencies.
According to Even-Zohar, the boundaries between the center and the periphery are not fixed; these positions can shift as historical conditions change. Strong and prestigious texts that lose interest of the society over time and lose their function can be pushed out of the center and move to the periphery. On the other hand, texts that were initially peripheral, less known or weaker, can gain importance with the increase of social interest and move to the center by taking on a functional role. This is referred to as “dynamic stratification” in literary texts. In this process, translated texts can move to the center by introducing new genres and forms in the target culture.
Another important concept in the theory is the distinction between “primary” and “secondary” literature. Primary literature consists of texts that are innovative and experimental, developing outside of established patterns. Secondary literature, on the other hand, refers to texts that adhere to established norms and classical forms and are conservative in nature. However, this distinction is not based on any value judgment; whether a text is primary or secondary is determined by its functional position within the system. Translated literature often takes on a primary function, as it pioneers literary innovation by introducing new aesthetic forms and narrative styles to the target culture.
Even-Zohar argues that there is no strict hierarchy between these two categories because whether a text is classified as primary or secondary depends on its “function and historical context.” As social, cultural, or aesthetic conditions change, secondary literature that was once placed at the center can be pushed to periphery; while innovative texts belonging to primary literature can move to a central position over time. Within this framework, translation becomes a dynamic element that triggers change.
Historical Development and Practices
The polysystem theory was introduced in the 1920s by Russian linguists Tynyanov, Eikhenbaum, and Shklovsky. Even-Zohar revisited this theory in the 1970s. In his 1978 article “The Position of Translated Literature within the Polysystem,” Even-Zohar states that translated literature plays an important role in shaping national cultures. According to him, translated literature should be considered an autonomous system.
In a work published in 1987, Even-Zohar emphasizes that translation choices are influenced by the dominant circumstances within the system. According to this, the selection of texts to be translated depends on the function they will serve in the target literature and their compatibility with the current literary trends. According to Even-Zohar, a work acquires a new function in three basic situations:
1) During periods when the polysystem has not yet been formed or is in the process of being formed,
2) When literature is in a weak and receptive position against external influences,
3) During times when literature changes direction, or when periods of stagnation or crisis arise.
In the 1990s, Even-Zohar reformulated the theory of polysystem around the concept of the “cultural repertoire." Even-Zohar emphasized that culture is not a closed structure that exists on its own; rather, it is a holistic system shaped by the interaction of different elements within society. According to him, the formation of a cultural repertoire depends on two fundamental processes: import and transfer. These processes are not separate from each other; imported elements form a new cultural structure by combining with production.
The first applications of polysystem theory in Türkiye were seen in the 1980s. Saliha Paker's translation of Itamar Even-Zohar's article “The Position of Translated Literature Within the Literary Polysystem” marked the first step in this field. In 1987, Paker became a pioneering researcher in Turkish translation studies by applying polysystem theory in Türkiye for the first time.
