The Cultural Studies Approach in Translation Studies

This chapter examines the cultural studies approach in translation studies, focusing on its theoretical foundations, methodologies, and applications. It traces the origins of cultural studies to French structuralism and British left-wing sociology, highlighting its interdisciplinary nature and core concerns with power, ideology, and identity. The chapter discusses the “cultural turn” in translation studies, emphasizing the shift from linguistic fidelity to exploring translation’s socio-political and cultural impacts. Key perspectives such as translation as rewriting, postcolonial theory, and gender studies are analyzed, showcasing their influence on translation research. Methodologies like textual analysis, narratology, and audience research are detailed, illustrating their use in examining translation phenomena. The chapter also addresses common misconceptions, particularly the conflation of “cultural translation” with cultural studies, and calls for more nuanced, micro-level research. By integrating cultural theories, this approach enriches translation studies, offering deeper insights into the interplay between translation, culture, and power. Future directions include expanding research scope and refining methodological applications.