An Overview of Sociology of Translation: Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Sociology of translation is a burgeoning paradigm in current translation studies and its momentum of development tends to maintain for a long time. This paper reviews the development of sociology of translation as well as major sociological theories applied in translation studies and reflects on some problems in current sociologically-informed translation studies with respect to terminology, subject of study and research model. This paper suggests that researches on sociology of translation should further clarify the object of study and systemize research methods. Meanwhile, more empirical research should be conducted on what translators actually do and say they do in the widest possible contexts of their professional practice to make sociology of translation a truly original and productive area of study.