University Honors

In recent days, we experience varying media entertainment presenting different languages and cultures through the assistance of subtitles. In particular, the rise of Korean dramas and films are attributed to the expansion of a more global audience with the help of English translations. While this enables viewers to interact with Korean culture and language, studies reveal that English translations frequently overlook nuances of the Korean language, producing inaccurate or misleading interpretations. Specifically, I look into what levels of formalities and social hierarchy standards in Korean society are revealed through its language but often left out of English version translations, and how this provides an analysis of power dynamics and cultural implications found in both Korean and American society. Through case studies and literature searches of different examples of Korean media and their related English subtitle translations, I make a comparison between the two societies and their language, and ultimately highlight the differences that provide translation challenges along with its possible implications. As Korean culture becomes a widely recognized and valued phenomenon, a deeper analysis into how its language translates onto a more global audience will allow viewers to gain a deeper understanding of how to communicate, socialize and empathize with Korean society and communities.