The Sociology of Translation: At the Intersection of Social Sciences and the Humanities. The Case of "The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Buratino"

Abstract

The article discusses the relationship between translation studies and sociology. It is argued that the latter can prove valuable in a deepened analysis of a given society. Surprisingly, little research has been done with regard to this issue. In order to justify the point of view that translation studies can consort with social sciences in many ways, The Golden Key, or the Adventures of Buratino – a Soviet adaptation of Collodi’s Pinocchio – is analyzed. The choices of the translator are influenced by the trends and norms in the Soviet society. These norms are further analyzed through the lenses of Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts and the Manipulation School. Thus, combining sociology and translation studies can provide an interdisciplinary perspective on social phenomena.

Keywords

• cultural turn in translation studies
• field
• habitus
• sociology of translation