How to break a norm and get away with it: A case study of two translators

Jing Yu
Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Norm conformity and violation constitute two sides of norm operation: the former maintains the stability of the system while the latter motivates its modification, evolution, and change. While previous studies have concentrated on the constraints of norms in translators’ behaviour and their conformity to them, few have examined norm violation, especially why translators choose violation over conformity and how they get away with the violation. This study explores motivation and risk management concerning norm violation based on a case study of two Chinese translators who violated the norm of standard Chinese and got away with it when translating a dialect in the source text. The case study shows norm violation is the result of an optimal trade-off between translators’ reward-seeking behaviour and risk management in their negotiation with multiple conflicting norms, rather than an abnormal behaviour involving negative consequences, as suggested in previous studies. Whether one can get away with the violation is often related to its impact on the system. The study contributes to norm studies by illuminating the complexity of norm-governed behaviours and norm violation, offering new insights on norm dynamics and risk management in translation.

Publication history

Date received: 9 January 2021

Date accepted: 25 August 2023

Published online: 14 September 2023

Table of contents

Norm conformity and violation constitute two sides of norm operation, with the former maintaining the stability of the system and the latter motivating its modification, evolution, and change. While norm conformity is deemed ‘proper conduct’ and associated with rewards, norm violation is often regarded as ‘improper behaviour’ and associated with negative sanctions (Toury 2012, 68). Norm followers are granted various rewards. These include financial gains and praise (Hermans as cited in Schäffner 1999, 86), ensured acceptance by clients and readers (Chesterman 1998, 95), and the opportunity to gain consolidated social status in the community, as well as recognition, approval, and a sense of social belonging. Norm violators tend to attract negative consequences in addition to losing the rewards associated with conformity. Some negative consequences may include criticism, failure to get another contract, loss of work (Hermans as cited in Schäffner 1999, 86), or even persecution and death, as in the case of Etienne Dolet, who broke the prevailing norm of literal translation by translating Plato’s Axiochus too freely (Chesterman 2016, 49).

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