This thesis, titled "A Socio-cultural Perspective on Translation Activities in Iraq: A Bourdieusian Account," explores Iraq's translation history from 1980 to 2022, analysing the socio-cultural and political forces shaping translation practices before and after the 2003 US-led invasion. Using Pierre Bourdieu's theoretical framework—focusing on field, habitus, capital, doxa, and symbolic violence—the study investigates how socio-political upheavals influenced translation, reshaped social hierarchies, and drove cultural shifts. Through qualitative interviews, archival research, and analysis of data from various sources, the research examines the role of Dar Al-Mamoun, Iraq's primary governmental translation institution before 2003, in reinforcing state narratives via censorship and symbolic violence. Post-2003, the translation landscape shifted, with private publishers and independent initiatives fostering diverse cultural discourses. The findings highlight how state control impacted translators' intellectual freedom and creativity, compelling self-censorship. By extending Bourdieu’s theory, this study underscores the significance of cultural production in Iraq's socio-political context, bridging translation studies with sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies, and offering insights relevant to other complex regions.
