Theories and methodologies of translation history: the value of an interdisciplinary approach

This article argues that translation historians need to adopt a more interdisciplinary approach to their subject; and in particular need to engage more with other non-translation historians. It argues that we should adopt this approach not in order to appease a supposed sense of epistemological inferiority or to acquire greater institutional status, but because engaging with like-minded researchers who have different approaches to a shared subject is a potentially enriching experience, one that can go beyond the oft cited, and in my opinion rather narrow, aim of facilitating translation practice and enhancing knowledge in translation studies.