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Translator’s Perspective in Jeilgieon(第一奇諺),the Translated Work of Kyeonghwayeon(鏡花緣)

  • The Research of the Korean Classic
  • 2015, (32), pp.541-568
  • Publisher : The Research Of The Korean Classic
  • Research Area : Humanities > Korean Language and Literature > Korean Literature > Korean classic prose

Kyungmi Kim 1

1이화여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study tries to examine the translated work, Jeilgieon(第一奇諺) in Chosun dynasty whose original book is Kyeonghwayeon(鏡花緣) and to infer the views of the translator, Hong Hui-bok(洪羲福, 1763~1830) on translation. The original book, Kyeonghwayeon is a traveling novel in its form and it presents encyclopedic knowledge through characters’ dialogues and new thoughts on women’s ability through various kinds of female characters. Compared with the original work, the translated work, Jeilgieon shows some changes. It leaves out the redundant parts, adds new sentences of explanation, and makes some adaptation where the descriptions of customs and culture are way too different from native ones. These changes are mentioned in the translator’s preface, which shows the translator Hong Hui-bok’s thought that the original work cannot be perfectly translated and some adaptations are indispensable reflecting the context of native language and culture. Besides this view of translation, the translator’s preface suggests his criticism on the contemporary novels in his times as well. According to him, novels of his times deal with the similar stories which are not worth reading for decent wives and daughters. Considering this, he seemed to present his translation as an alternative of novels in his times. That’s why he entitled his translation as “Jeilgieon” which means the best work among literary works. Clearly he seemed to give new stimulation for both writers and reading audiences of novels of those days.

Citation status

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

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.