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Textual and paratextual transformations in translated LGBT picturebooks in South Korea

  • The Journal of Translation Studies
  • Abbr : JTS
  • 2024, 25(1), pp.123-156
  • DOI : 10.15749/jts.2024.25.1.005
  • Publisher : The Korean Association for Translation Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Interpretation and Translation Studies
  • Received : February 14, 2024
  • Accepted : March 15, 2024
  • Published : March 31, 2024

Shin-ye Jeong 1 Sung, Seung-eun 1

1한국외국어대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

As LGBT themes gain increasing visibility worldwide, picturebooks featuring LGBT themes have become more widely available. However, given the sensitive nature of this topic in South Korea, as well as the influence of adult perspectives on children’s literature, translated LGBT-themed picturebooks often experience modifications in both their texts and paratexts. Against this backdrop, this article examines the portrayal of LGBT themes in picturebooks translated into Korean, from the first publication to the most recent ones. Both texts and paratexts are explored: for text analysis, the translation of gender identity into Korean is investigated in terms of explicitation and implicitation; for paratextual analysis, publishers’ introductions/reviews and back cover blurbs are examined. The results indicate that LGBT picturebooks can be categorized into two groups: one including the presence of gender identity, and the other without it. We argue that the Korean society has been gradually receptive to LGBT picturebooks, particularly since 2017. Furthermore, LGBT themes are discussed in the picturebooks in conjunction with a broader range of themes, including feminism, eradication of racial and cultural biases, self-discovery, and creativity.

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