@article{ART003249464},
author={Hong, Seungyeon},
title={Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater},
journal={The Journal of Translation Studies},
issn={1229-795X},
year={2025},
volume={26},
number={3},
pages={297-325},
doi={10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010}
TY - JOUR
AU - Hong, Seungyeon
TI - Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater
JO - The Journal of Translation Studies
PY - 2025
VL - 26
IS - 3
PB - The Korean Association for Translation Studies
SP - 297
EP - 325
SN - 1229-795X
AB - This study explores the process of translating English surtitles for the contemporary Korean play “Heukbaek dabang” (Black and White Tea Room – Counsellor), directed by Cha Hyun-suk, with a particular focus on performances staged abroad. Drawing on a triangulated methodology—textual analysis, non-participatory observation, and personal interviews—the study identifies a five-stage translation process: script translation, revision and adaptation, surtitles production, surtitles revision, and final adjustment to the performance context. Key findings from the surtitles production stage include the following strategies: 1) spotting dialogue based on meaning units (clauses and phrases); 2) reducing unnecessary transitions for short lines to enhance readability; 3) isolating impactful lines on separate slides to match dramatic timing; 4) condensing fast-paced speech for clarity; 5) using punctuation selectively to aid comprehension without disrupting line flow. The study also highlights the collaborative nature of surtitles translation, involving translators, revisers, directors, operators, Korean and local actors, staff, and even audiences. By examining the full spectrum of agents and processes involved, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of how contemporary Korean theater can be effectively introduced to global audiences through translation and performance.
KW - Multimodal translation;play translation;stage translation;surtitles;Black and White Tea Room: Counsellor
DO - 10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
ER -
Hong, Seungyeon. (2025). Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater. The Journal of Translation Studies, 26(3), 297-325.
Hong, Seungyeon. 2025, "Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater", The Journal of Translation Studies, vol.26, no.3 pp.297-325. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
Hong, Seungyeon "Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater" The Journal of Translation Studies 26.3 pp.297-325 (2025) : 297.
Hong, Seungyeon. Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater. 2025; 26(3), 297-325. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
Hong, Seungyeon. "Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater" The Journal of Translation Studies 26, no.3 (2025) : 297-325.doi: 10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
Hong, Seungyeon. Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater. The Journal of Translation Studies, 26(3), 297-325. doi: 10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
Hong, Seungyeon. Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater. The Journal of Translation Studies. 2025; 26(3) 297-325. doi: 10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
Hong, Seungyeon. Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater. 2025; 26(3), 297-325. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
Hong, Seungyeon. "Translation process and translator roles in contemporary Korean theater" The Journal of Translation Studies 26, no.3 (2025) : 297-325.doi: 10.15749/jts.2025.26.3.010
