Itzulpena eta hizkuntz normalkuntza - J.M. Zabaleta

The theory of translation normally indicates a purely communicative function of translation. However, according to the author of this article, very often in translation, it occurs that a relatively large quantity of a determined type of literature which is translated, can produce different effects depending on the socio-linguistic situation of the population to who it is directed. The more minorized and precarious the situation of the language into which one is translating, the greater the danger of the defects, bad translating style, distorsion of language usage rules, etc. appearing also in everyday usage of that same language -though not translated. This could eventually bring about a deterioration of the language to the extent of it becoming pure pidgin.

This effect is not only due to the translating of course, but also to the "minorization" of one language with regard to another.

This article attempts to analize the relation of interdependence which may exist between translation and language normalization processes; recuperation processes based on situations of precariousness and a kind of osmosis of the "minorized" language in respect to the dominant one which is often found in such ases.

The author brifly describes and analizes various types of situation of "miriorization" and tries to grade thems, as well as the positive influence translation has had in the past on languages which were spoken in that situation.