Korean to English translation - some of the common mistakes linguists make while translating from the Korean language to the English language

1. Korean to English Translation
Mistakes Linguists Make in Korean
to English Translation

2. Korean to English
Translation
Korean translation is the art (and science) of
converting another language into Korean or
converting Korean into another language.
This article shall focus on Korean to English
translation. This translation can be carried out by
software, human, or a combination of both.
Humans have been talking in different languages
since the beginning of the world, which has
brought about communication problems.
English has become an international language;
therefore, the demand and need for Korean to
English translation.
The following are some of the common mistakes
linguists make while translating from the Korean
language to the English language.

3. 1. Misuse of Capitalization
The most common mistake linguist make in Korean
to English is the misuse of capitalization, and this is
because there are no capital letters in the Korean
language.
For example,
Having ‘Steamed egg’ on a menu board while the
next item was spelled as ‘bacon’ and not ‘Bacon’.
So, it is clear that there is no consistency in
capitalization.
You can refer to Korean capitalization and English
for more examples.

4. 2. Singular and Plural
Another mistake is the fact that the Korean
language does not differentiate between singular
and plural, and thus bring about the incorrect
usage in the English language.
For instance, in Korean, one can say, ‘There are ten
apple.’ instead of ‘There are ten apples.’
The chart shows the formal form of the different
possessive pronouns.

5. 2. Singular and Plural
(contd.)
The chart shows the informal form of the different
possessive pronouns.
Therefore, when people do Korean translation, they
use direct translations and not mind the plural
forms.
This is why Koreans use a singular verb after a plural
subject and vice versa.

6. 3. Tenses
There is no difference between the present tense
and the past tense in the Korean language.
For example,
In Korean, when you meet your former school
teacher, you would say; ‘He is my school teacher’
whereas, in the English language, the correct thing
to say is ‘He was my school teacher’ or ‘He is my
former school teacher’.

7. 4. Names
Another common mistake linguists make in Korean
to English translation is in writing the English name
of a Korean man or woman.
It is often an Asian custom to put the last name
before the first name.
Therefore, if an English man is translating, he may
assume that the Koreans do the same while writing
their names in English.
However, several Koreans write their names using
the English style, which is, writing the first name
first, followed by the last name.
Also, many other Korean writers put their last name
first, and their first name last.
So, the linguistic and cultural differences usually
bring about mistakes and confusion.

8. Conclusion
So, as a translator, you must be ready to deal with
the following problematic areas:
Such as cultural problems, grammar, syntax, lexical-
semantic, rhetoric, computer-related challenges,
administrative issues, and not to mention the stress
involved in the translation.
To avoid all these common language issues – you
need an expert to help you adapt your content for
international markets.
We can help you, get in touch.