In:Reflections on Translation Theory: Selected papers 1993 - 2014
Andrew Chesterman
[Benjamins Translation Library 132] 2017
► pp. 185–191
Paper 14A note on norms and evidence
Published online: 26 April 2017
https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.132.c14
https://doi.org/10.1075/btl.132.c14
Abstract
There are two senses of the concept “norm”: one is descriptive and weakly explanatory, and the other is causal or prescriptive and more strongly explanatory. Studying norms in the causal sense means looking for plausible links between observed regularities and evidence of normative force: this may be found in belief statements, in criticism of norm-breaking, or in norm statements. Norms are explanatory hypotheses, and can be tested in various ways.
Keywords: norm, normative force, regularity, explanation, hypothesis, testing
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.The two senses
- 3.Descriptive and explanatory
- 4.Regularities
-
5.Evidence of normative force
- Belief statements
- Explicit criticism
- Norm statements
- 6.Testing hypotheses about norms
Note
