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A Study on English-Korean Translation of Passive Construction: Focusing on the Translation Cases of Current Highschool English Textbooks

이은숙 1

1충주대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study shows that there are many differences and characteristics of Passive Construction in English-Korean translation. In English-Korean translation, the English passive has long been recognized as one of the difficult elements and has received great attention from translators and researchers. In translating passive construction, the difficulties of finding the exact counterpart expressions of the two languages often arise from the main structural differences in word order, the deletability of the recoverable subject, and the existence and distribution of prepositions and diverse transitive verbs that require objects. Through this study, we could recognize that many passive sentences in English are usually expressed as active forms in Korean by experts. That is why the passive voice appears more frequently in English. Also, generally speaking, it is more natural and proper to use active voice than passive voice in Korean language system. Because Korean has the free word-order, the topicalization, the use of thematic markers such as 'eun, nun', it is not necessary to express passive voice in Korean versions. Also, we could find distinctive translational properties of nonprofessional group. Beginners tend to be stuck in clichés or so-called 'translationese' expressions and in literal translation. However, professionals are apt to interpret a word into as many different meanings as possible on the basis of the given contexts. This study indicates that for a better understanding of English and English-Korean translation it is necessary for college students to take lessons on Korean as well as English and translation practice in a formal curriculum. By such practicing and training, beginners could reach perfect translation standard.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.