Approaching law in superdiverse, global societies: The challenges of and for legal translation in plural legal orders

Abstract

‘Translation’, understood in a broad sense, has been defined as a basic ingredient of globalisation and, more specifically, of the current globalising processes of law. This article reviews contributions that have explored the interconnection of translation and law in various disciplines. Inspired by the call for interdisciplinarity in Legal Translation Studies and for an “outward turn” in Translation Studies, this article will draw on theories of legal pluralism which have used various conceptualisations of translation to offer critical insights into the challenges of and for legal translation as a discipline and a professional practice in the superdiverse societies of the global era. The ultimate aim of this interdisciplinary round trip is to contribute towards increased self-reflexivity in Legal Translation Studies and towards a re-imagining of dominant legal translation practices in line with the growing commitment to diversity in institutional settings.

Keywords

• legal translation; legal pluralism; globalisation; superdiversity; power