This leads to the discussion of "patronage." The essays in the collection highlight how translation is controlled by external powers. Patronage refers to the forces (whether individuals, institutions, or political regimes) that facilitate or hinder the production of literature. By analyzing patronage, Bassnett and Lefevere demonstrate that translation is inherently political. Decisions regarding what is translated and how it is translated are rarely purely aesthetic; they are driven by the ideological needs of the target culture. For instance, the translation of religious texts or revolutionary manifestos often serves a specific agenda, reinforcing the idea that translation is a tool of power.
Before Bassnett, translation theory was dominated by linguistic approaches (Eugene Nida, J.C. Catford) focused on formal vs. dynamic equivalence, or literary debates over “literal vs. free” translation. Bassnett argued that this was insufficient. She insisted that translation operates within larger systems of culture, ideology, and history. Her key argument, often quoted, is: “Translation is not just a transfer of text from one language into another; it is a negotiation between cultures.” translation history and culture susan bassnett pdf
and André Lefevere’s influential work, specifically focusing on the "cultural turn" presented in Translation, History, and Culture (1990). This leads to the discussion of "patronage
Whether you are a student scrambling for a seminar, or a scholar revisiting the canon, the insights within this text remain urgent. In an era of globalization, migration, and AI, understanding who translates, why they translate, and how history guides their hand is the only way to truly communicate across cultures. Decisions regarding what is translated and how it