Susan Bassnett, alongside André Lefevere, pioneered the in translation studies during the late 1980s and 1990s. Before this shift, translation was viewed largely as a linguistic exercise—a matter of finding equivalent words. Bassnett argued, instead, that translation is a primary vehicle for cultural power, ideological manipulation, and historical continuity.
Download the PDF, but then buy the print copy if you can. Bassnett’s work deserves the same historical permanence that she argued for in translation. FAQ: Translation, History and Culture by Susan Bassnett Q: Is "Translation, History and Culture" a textbook? A: It is an edited collection of academic essays. It is used as a key textbook in advanced university courses.
A: Earlier theorists (like Vinay & Darbelnet) focused on linguistic structures. Bassnett focuses on ideology, historical context, and power dynamics.