@article{ART002152944},
author={Mikyung Choi},
title={Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions},
journal={The Journal of Translation Studies},
issn={1229-795X},
year={2016},
volume={17},
number={3},
pages={165-192},
doi={10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007}
TY - JOUR
AU - Mikyung Choi
TI - Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions
JO - The Journal of Translation Studies
PY - 2016
VL - 17
IS - 3
PB - The Korean Association for Translation Studies
SP - 165
EP - 192
SN - 1229-795X
AB - The purpose of this article is to examine the French translation of the titles of translated Korean literary works. Our corpus consists of 355 books titles published in France from 1892 (when Printemps perfumé, the first Korean book translated into French was published) to the present days. Our aim is to explore the different kinds of translation methods which are used. We try in particular to show whether the method used is efficient with respect to each of the three main functions of any title, which are being designative, descriptive and seductive.
Our analysis reveals that more than 90% (330 titles) are translated literally by linguistic correspondence; translators seem to rely on this process for the sake of fidelity and security. In some cases, the translated title does not have exactly the same meaning in French; moreover, its seduction power is often weakened. This is a detrimental loss since the French book market often plays the role of a bridge towards other European languages or North and South America markets.
Two other methods are used, namely a simple alteration of the original title and a substitution of the title by a new one. When literal translation alters the meaning of the original title or produces a too long sentence in French, some translators try to modify the title, more often than not with success. The question is to decide whether those alterations meet a real justification and if they still reflect the meaning and the effect the author chose to express.
Our study shows the difficulties encountered by translators in this respect and advocates the need of a negotiation with the publisher of the translated text. The title of any literary work is a sophisticated element that must be handled in taking into account several criteria not only in terms of equivalence of meaning but also in terms of function and effect. When it comes to translating a title, translators are expected to act even more actively and creatively than ever.
KW - title translation;3 methods of translation;3 functions of title;equivalence;negotiation between author;translator and publisher
DO - 10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
ER -
Mikyung Choi. (2016). Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions. The Journal of Translation Studies, 17(3), 165-192.
Mikyung Choi. 2016, "Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions", The Journal of Translation Studies, vol.17, no.3 pp.165-192. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
Mikyung Choi "Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions" The Journal of Translation Studies 17.3 pp.165-192 (2016) : 165.
Mikyung Choi. Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions. 2016; 17(3), 165-192. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
Mikyung Choi. "Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions" The Journal of Translation Studies 17, no.3 (2016) : 165-192.doi: 10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
Mikyung Choi. Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions. The Journal of Translation Studies, 17(3), 165-192. doi: 10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
Mikyung Choi. Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions. The Journal of Translation Studies. 2016; 17(3) 165-192. doi: 10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
Mikyung Choi. Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions. 2016; 17(3), 165-192. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
Mikyung Choi. "Analysis of title of translated literary works: equivalence and functions" The Journal of Translation Studies 17, no.3 (2016) : 165-192.doi: 10.15749/jts.2016.17.3.007
