: In this framework, translation is viewed as a form of "rewriting"—a purposeful manipulation of a text to make it function within a new cultural and political context.
Before the 1990s, translation research was largely dominated by linguistic theories that sought "equivalence" between source and target texts. Bassnett and Lefevere argued that this approach ignored the reality that translation is never an "innocent" or neutral act. translation history and culture susan bassnett pdf
: Because translations shape how one culture perceives another, Bassnett emphasizes that translators have a profound ethical duty to manage these cultural representations. Accessing the Material (PDF and Sourcebooks) : In this framework, translation is viewed as
: The "cultural turn" emphasizes that the translator must understand the entire cultural environment surrounding a text, not just its dictionary definitions. : Because translations shape how one culture perceives
: Bassnett rejects literal word-for-word accuracy, advocating for "functional equivalence"—achieving the same effect and meaning in the target language as in the original.