Translation Challenge! Mixing 존댓말 & 반말
I’m reading a book by Jung Yi-hyun called 달콤한 나의 도시, which, from what I can tell, is Korean chick-lit novel (the tagline: Will love come at age 30?) I must say that I am completely hooked. Keep in mind that the copy of the book I’m reading–see the cover on the right–is about 2 x 3 inches (a gift copy that comes with the actual book) so I probably look ridiculous reading it on the Metro (but whatever, it’s totally worth it).
I just got to the “morning after” scene after a 원나잇 (one night stand) when they can’t figure out whether to use 존댓말 or 반말, and the dialogue goes,
“아니. 나 혼자 가도 돼요. 택시 차면 금방인데 뭘.”
“그래도 같이 가요. 집이 어디라 그랬더라?”
“진짜 괜찮다니까. 시간이 일러서. 강변불북로 타면 30분도 안걸려요.”
I’m curious about how other translators would deal with this in English (if they were opting NOT to ignore the 존댓말). Anyone care to take a stab? **Note: Foreignizing translations welcome!
April 12th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I don’t think that this can be literally translated into English just because there is no such thing as 존댓말/반말 in this language. And in this case, the 존댓말 is not that formal anyway given the context and the relationship status between the two. The 존댓말/반말 melange is used in this dialogue to reflect the awkwardness of the next morning and the fact that they are still not that comfortable with each other.
혼잣말과 대화의 차이점도 고려해볼만함. 존댓말 seems more like a direct comment to the other person, whereas 반말 is sort of a mix between a direct comment and 혼잣말…
So in terms of tackling translation, I would use “…” to finish off those types of 반말(혼잣말) sentences (in the spirit of instant messenger lingo)… Does this make any sense?
April 13th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Thanks for the comment! I never thought about 반말 being half-혼잣말, but it totally makes sense as a way of sneaking familiarity in. So you can sort of act like you’re talking to yourself and gradually speak to the other person as casually as you would address yourself. Good stuff! (I also like the “…” idea.)
July 20th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Buy:Viagra Super Force.Cialis.Viagra Super Active+.Cialis Professional.Maxaman.Tramadol.VPXL.Viagra.Viagra Professional.Soma.Zithromax.Levitra.Propecia.Cialis Super Active+.Viagra Soft Tabs.Cialis Soft Tabs.Super Active ED Pack….
August 29th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
St : St….
St….
September 14th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
reports : reports…
crystal…
December 17th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
████████►◀███████…
████████▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲████████…
December 22nd, 2010 at 1:00 pm
…
Buygeneric drugs…
December 29th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
…
Buyno prescription…
December 31st, 2010 at 8:24 am
…
Buygeneric pills…
January 1st, 2011 at 11:51 pm
…
Buywithout prescription…
January 4th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
…
Buygeneric meds…
January 5th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
…
Buyno prescription…
February 3rd, 2011 at 6:47 am
…
Buywithout prescription…
February 4th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
…
Buynow it…
March 3rd, 2011 at 3:54 am
…
Buygeneric pills…