@article{ART003318617},
author={Choi, Eun-Kyoung},
title={Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa},
journal={The Journal of Translation Studies},
issn={1229-795X},
year={2026},
volume={27},
number={1},
pages={11-41},
doi={10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001}
TY - JOUR
AU - Choi, Eun-Kyoung
TI - Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa
JO - The Journal of Translation Studies
PY - 2026
VL - 27
IS - 1
PB - The Korean Association for Translation Studies
SP - 11
EP - 41
SN - 1229-795X
AB - This study explores the dynamic landscape of the Korean literature translation field by analyzing the entry and position-taking processes of foreign translators, who have emerged as pivotal agents in the global promotion of Korean literature. Grounded in Pierre Bourdieu’s sociological framework, specifically the concepts of field and doxa, this research conducts a qualitative case study of three foreign translators. It explores how they navigate both institutional and non-institutional networks to overcome entry barriers and how they develop practical strategies to challenge established conventions. The finding suggest that, at the entry stage, foreign translators bridge the structural gap between institutionalized cultural capital and the publishing market by mobilizing social capital. In terms of position-taking, they employ a dual strategy that emphasizes the stylistic value of the target language while demonstrating rigorous expertise in the source language’s cultural context of the source text. In doing so, they challenge the doxa that foreign translators lack deep textual understanding. Furthermore, by expanding into genre literature and assuming in educational roles, they have evolved from peripheral outsiders to active constructors of the field. Academically, this research expands the scope of sociology of translation by interpreting these activities as a struggle for social recognition. Practically, it suggests that institutional support should move beyond language training toward fostering social capital and networking opportunities to ensure a sustainable and inclusive translation field.
KW - Korean literature translation;foreign translators;sociology of translation;Pierre Bourdieu;translation field
DO - 10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
ER -
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. (2026). Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa. The Journal of Translation Studies, 27(1), 11-41.
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. 2026, "Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa", The Journal of Translation Studies, vol.27, no.1 pp.11-41. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
Choi, Eun-Kyoung "Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa" The Journal of Translation Studies 27.1 pp.11-41 (2026) : 11.
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa. 2026; 27(1), 11-41. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. "Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa" The Journal of Translation Studies 27, no.1 (2026) : 11-41.doi: 10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa. The Journal of Translation Studies, 27(1), 11-41. doi: 10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa. The Journal of Translation Studies. 2026; 27(1) 11-41. doi: 10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa. 2026; 27(1), 11-41. Available from: doi:10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
Choi, Eun-Kyoung. "Entry and position-taking of foreign translators in the field of Korean literature translation: Focusing on Bourdieu’s concepts of field and doxa" The Journal of Translation Studies 27, no.1 (2026) : 11-41.doi: 10.15749/jts.2026.27.1.001
