The position of translated literature within the literary polysystem

Itamar Even-Zohar’s essay, first published in 1978, assumes that literature is a “polysystem” of interrelated forms and canons. Even-Zohar imagines the body of translated literature as a system in its own right, existing in varying relationships with original compositions. Both original compositions and translations occupy “positions” in literary systems, whether “central” or “peripheral,” and both perform literary “functions,” whether “innovative” or “conservatory.” A minor literature—minor in relation to major literatures with longer and more richly developed traditions—may assign translation a central role in spurring innovation. In a major literature, translation may be assigned a peripheral role, conservatively adhering to norms rejected by original writing.