Abstract: Although mistranslations are common in translation, research about it has often been limited to fragmented perspectives on language, culture, and subjectivity, without systematic theoretical integration. This frequently results in a demeaning stance that equates mistranslations with errors, obscuring their structural functions and legitimacy. Drawing on sociological anomie theory, this paper analyzes the multidimensional causes of mistranslations, reveals their diverse forms, and explores the relationship between mistranslations and anomie, as well as the anomie within the discourse of mistranslation studies. This approach provides a sociological path for exploring mistranslation and supports constructing an autonomous knowledge system for these studies. It suggests that mistranslations fundamentally reflect tensions between translation norms and practical objectives, thereby giving rise to four deviant types of mistranslation: innovative, ritualistic, retreatist, and rebellious. It is emphasized that mistranslations can be dysfunctional but also play positive roles in norm reconstruction and innovation, thus a dialectical recognition of mistranslations is advocated. This research moves mistranslation studies from quality judgment to theoretical construction, offering a new path for establishing a systematic and autonomous research paradigm for mistranslations.