A Study on the translation activity of the 1940 s in Turkey in accordance with the polisystem theory

A Study on the Translation Activity of the 1940s in Turkey in accordance with the Pınar Gfizeh/ürek Department of French Translation/Interpreting, M.A. Thesis Itamar Even-Zohar, professor of literary theory and comparative literatures at Tel-Aviv University in Israel, has attempted to constitute a comprehensive perspective with his polysystem theory first suggested in 1970 by approaching the act of translation from a cultural aspect. The theorist approaches the event of translation both synchronicaUy and diachronically which shows that he is also regarding translation's historical dimension. According to the polysystem theory, many potysystems as well as the literary polysystem take place in a culture, and literary translation becomes an inseparable part of this polysystem as well In this polysystem literary translations occasionally teke their place in the center. In this case, literary translations make great contributions to the indigenous literature. In the 1940s in Turkey, during the period of Hasan-Ali Yücel, Minister of the National Education Department, a dense and systematic translation activity had been realized in order to reach a modern, civilized level in terms of literature. Under the control of the Department of National Education the Translation Bureau had been founded and welt-known Western Classics have been translated there. Furthermore, as a publishing organ of the Translation Bureau, Tercüme Dergisi was launched and articles on the activities performed in this bureau, translation criticisms and methods were published in this magazine. If the translation activity in the 1940s is considered in accordance with the polysystem theory, it can be seen that the translation activity took place in the center because this activity had been a main factor in the constitution of indigenous literature and the introduction of new literary styles. However, when considered the 1940s are evaluated according to the polysystem, translations made daring this period did not "naturally" take place in the center as it is stated in Even-Zohar's polysystem theory. However, bringing explanations to the concept of culture planning in hut wither studies, Even- Zohar has also put the unnatural process into the frame of the polysystem theory. Therefore, the example of Turkey can be explained with this theory as it fits into the same frame. Keywords: translation, polysystem, 1940s, center and periphery, culture and literature, Translation Bureau