Strategies of a Non-Native Translator

Strategies of a Non-Native Translator

Non-native speakers of the target language are strongly discouraged from translating literature. I believe this is a very sensible recommendation, for regardless of individual abilities, it is often the case that the texts translated by such translators do not flow well. To be more exact, when I read translated works by non-native speakers, including my own, I often detect a matter-of-fact, straightforward tone, rather too serious, if not downright annoying to read, instead of the subtleties and elegance of the flow exhibited by many native translators. Of course, there are not only disadvantages in being a non-native translator. The non-native translator may grasp the original text better than the native translator, and be more aware of cultural and social implications hidden in the text. However, the main issue is the output. How do you transform the original text into its equivalent in the target language? I have been working as a freelance translator, of both literary and non-literary works, for the past 10 years, but this question hangs over me every time I begin to translate.

I ventured into this unattainable arena, fully aware of the problems I faced. At first, there was something about challenging the impossible, but I also believed there was still a need for translators like myself in the field of translating Korean literature into English, for no other reason than that not much has been translated and there were not enough translators around to introduce Korean literature and culture to the world. I believe, though, that non-native speakers are at best transitional figures, who will fade into the shadows when more and more native speakers of English with good Korean language skills emerge. My goal is very modest by literary standards, but very ambitious for a non-native speaker. My goal is to render my translations as readable as possible. The best response I have ever received for my literary translation was that it was “very readable.” I was very pleased with that praise. I know that as a non-native translator I can never attain a higher plateau.

Once I attended a translation seminar in Korea, where most participants were Korean professors of foreign languages. They insisted that the importance of the act of the translation lies in introducing the unfamiliar to an audience, rather than making foreign literature readable. When I raised the question of stilted texts