You are cordially invited to attend a talk by Dr. Fatma Aksoy, entitled “The Social Turn in Translation Studies: Exploring Translation from a Sociological Perspective”.
We look forward to your participation.
Title : The Social Turn in Translation Studies: Exploring Translation from a Sociological Perspective
Speaker : Fatma Aksoy
Date : Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Time : 11:00-12:30
Place : H232
Abstract: This seminar explores the sociology of translation as a dynamic and interdisciplinary approach within Translation Studies, emphasizing its methodological contributions and interdisciplinary relevance. It underscores the need to examine translation not merely as a linguistic transfer, but as a socially situated practice shaped by diverse agents and socio-political forces, leading to a diversity of cultural products that are received and interpreted in varying ways. By comparing the distinct research traditions of sociologists and translation scholars, the seminar calls for a more cohesive analytical framework. The discussion centers on two influential sociological models — Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of fields and Niklas Luhmann’s social systems theory — each offering distinct yet complementary insights into how translation functions within broader social structures. Drawing from both theoretical frameworks and case studies, including original research on the representation of Turkish identity in European media, the seminar underscores the importance of embracing sociological perspectives to enrich our understanding of translation’s role in society.
Bio: Dr. Fatma Aksoy holds a PhD in Translation Studies from Hacettepe University. Her dissertation examined the representation of Turkish identity in British and French media through a sociological lens, drawing on social systems theory. Her research interests include translation sociology, identity politics, and the role of translation in shaping national and global narratives across literary, audio-visual, and news media. She has taught in Turkish, French, and English at Hacettepe University and translated many texts, including children’s literature, academic articles, and policy reports. Currently serving as Communications Coordinator at Charles de Gaulle French school in Ankara, she combines academic inquiry with practical experience in multilingual environments. She is currently co-authoring a forthcoming book on the social role of translation in Türkiye from the Ottoman period to the present. She is also conducting research on the reception of French literature in Turkish media.