Problems In Translating A Korean Literary Text Into English: A Comparative Analysis Of Professional And Novice Translators

Abstract

This paper provides a comparative analysis of the problems encountered by professional and novice translators in the process of translating a Korean literary text into English. Translations of eighteen sentences selected from Son Won-pyung’s novel “Almond”, produced by four participants, were examined on the basis of Mathieu’s classification. The results showed that the number of grammatical, lexical, rhetorical and pragmatic errors was considerably higher among novice translators than among professionals. The importance of a holistic understanding of the text, of selecting context- appropriate units and of revising the translation in literary translation is substantiated.