Translation and the Westernization of Eighteenth-Century Russia

The book considers the role of translation in the reformation of Russia along Western European lines in the eighteenth century. Translation is presented as a key social-systemic factor in the dynamics of the relationship between the system and its environment - between Russia and Western Europe. The author draws on contemporary historiography and social theory, primarily Niklas Luhmann's social systems theory, but also concepts of other sociologists and historians, such as Gumilev, Bourdieu, Habermas, Jameson, amongst others. This allows the author to conduct a comprehensive analysis of social involvements of translation. Importantly, this case study aspires to pave the way for research of the social role of translation of universal validity. Sergey Tyulenev has taught at the University of Moscow, McGill University, and the University of Cambridge. Now, he is a post-doctoral researcher with the University of the Free State (South Africa). He has published several monographs and a number of articles on the theory and history of translation. His website and blog are www.tyulenev.org and www.translation.tyulenev.org.