Women’s voices in literary translation: a Bourdieusian look at symbolic capital in post-revolution Iran

Abstract

The present paper utilizes Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological framework to examine how Iranian women literary translators have earned and utilized symbolic capital in the literary translation field over the past four decades since the 1979 Revolution. The study investigates how these women have acquired and applied symbolic capital. The paper specifically delves into the challenges women translators encounter in obtaining and managing symbolic capital and the complex cultural, social, economic, and linguistic dynamics involved in their translation process. Furthermore, the paper evaluates whether they experience similar opportunities compared to their male counterparts. To achieve this, the study employs quantitative methodologies, such as surveys conducted through questionnaires, and qualitative research, including in-depth interviews with influential figures in Iran’s literary translation field, such as literary translators, publishers, and university scholars of both genders. The findings of this study suggest that symbolic capital can be a significant goal and an external source of motivation for many Iranian women working as literary translators, as it has the potential to offer rewards and recognition in their professional pursuits. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.