The Sociological Turn in Translation Studies and Pierre Bourdieu’s Sociology: A Case of Convergence or Divergence?

This chapter aims to investigate the sociology of translation and to assess the utility and innovation thereof. The main assumptions of the sociological turn are investigated. Prevailing currents, such as the sociology of agents, sociology of the cultural product, and sociology of the translation process are presented. This triad, proposed by Michaela Wolf, is supplemented with theoretical works whose sole aim is to promote the potential of the sociological turn. These are then discussed within the context of field theory as presented by Pierre Bourdieu. The claim is made that due to its interdisciplinary approach, the sociological turn is prone to certain errors characteristic of other previous turns. In light of Edwin Gentzler’s view on the development of the discipline, a post-disciplinary approach is advocated.