According to a language professor based in Seoul, the country has not yet professionalized its language service industry.

Korea has an up-and-coming economy, as well as a large body of students studying English and other foreign languages.

So why is the country behind on offering quality translations?

An article by Robert J. Fouser, English professor at Seoul National University, draws pertinent comparisons between the Japanese language and Korean – and concludes that while Koreans may be one up on the Japanese in English skills, their translation industry is far behind.

As Fouser explains in “Korea’s translation problem,” Japanese and Korean display a number of similarities. For starters, they are similar grammatically and lexically. Also, they are both languages that are rarely used outside of their home country; unlike Spanish, French and English.

Apparently, common wisdom holds that Koreans speak better English than the Japanese. However, translation quality is another story. Errors are common in Korean translation, even in high-level diplomacy.

Why would this be the case?

“In short, the translation industry in Japan is a highly developed service industry that attracts paying customers…” explains Fouser.

On the other hand, “translation in Korea is seen as a work best done on the cheap. This makes it difficult for the field to attract and retain quality people. The number of foreign translators working from Korean into their native language is much smaller than in Japan. The proofreading industry also lags behind for the same reason.”

Fouser’s observations hint at the difference that a well-organized, professional language service industry can make in a assuring that a country -- and its companies -- are able to operate on an international level.

Betty Carlson

See Also

• LanguageTranslation, Inc.
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