ABSTRACT
English-Korean Translation Strategies of Medication Texts
Minkyung Kim
Department of English
...
ABSTRACT
English-Korean Translation Strategies of Medication Texts
Minkyung Kim
Department of English
Language and Literature
The Graduate School
Sejong University
This aims to find the translation strategies for medication texts so that readers with medical·pharmaceutical backgrounds can obtain more explicit and pragmatic information. The characteristic of medication texts, unlike other texts, has the tendency for asymmetric information exposure due to the extents of medical knowledge the two different groups of readers have. Also the texts entail various factors associated with translation situations and purposes. Therefore the present study attempts to shed light on the different competence who readers have with regards to medication texts as well as potential discrepancies in expectations and interests of each group.
The data used for the analysis here deal with two categories. Firstly, analysis of the medical terminology is conducted. Secondly, an examination of the medication texts, such as package inserts and medication guide, is provided.
The contents of this dissertation are as follows:
Chapter One describes the aim, methodology and construction of this .
Chapter Two deals with the characteristics of medication texts based on function and text types. Medication texts are mostly informative in nature whose main function is to provide readers with information. For an integration of the requisite translation methods, the theoretical framework is set up : ‘translation norms’ and functional theories of translation including ‘skopos theory’, ‘translation brief’. The significance of ‘translation brief’ lies in the situational elements regulating text profile. While the translator outlines the translation situation to the players who are involved in translation situation, the purpose of translation is clarified and the strategy of translation can be confirmed. The study relates these theories to the concept of ‘register’ and ‘communication’ for the purpose of ensuring the successful translation and the needs of the target text readers.
Chapter Three deals with the questionnaire survey I did it for the purpose of researching quantitative datas. The survey was conducted for two groups such as health-care professionals and non-professionals. I presneted the medical terminology which are translated in a different methods, like terms translated in Chinese character, translated in Korean and translated in Chinese character with additional way. Another questions inquire into the degree of comprehension regarding package inserts and medical terminology between health-care professionals and non-professionals. After the survey, the statistical processes used SPSS 12.0 program including chi-square(X²) and independent t-test analysis. The result of the statistic analysis indicates substantial preference for translation methods concerning the readability of the texts between professionals and non-professionals. Thus translators need to explore the efficient methods in translating medication texts with the consideration of readers’ backgrounds. Furthermore, the contrasts of readability between two groups show that the degree of familiarity with the medical terminology is significantly correlated with different target readers on medication texts.
Chapter Four investigates the characteristics and the types of medical terminology based on morphology, semantics and pragmatics. The terminology is the characteristics of medical translation and involves the communication not only in the medical field but also in everyday life.
The morphological properties of terminology show that noun class has high productivity and most medical terms are derived words and compounds with regard to term constituents and term formation. From the point of etymology based on term formation, the majority of English medical terms come from Greek and Latin; many Korean medical terms, on the other hand, have their origin in Chinese. It is noticeable that owing to some problems, including deficiencies of coherence and the complicated terms in the translated terminology, readers have trouble figuring them out. Moreover, these defects are against the Pharmaceutical affairs Act, FDA regulations related to readability. This study presents strategies that attempt to fix the translation of medical terminology with consistency, coherence, and in a manner which enhances the readers’ acceptability.
Chapter Five analyzes package inserts as well as medication guides and suggests translation strategies of the given texts.
Even though the government and the civil society made efforts to improve package inserts in prior studies, translation in the medication texts remains to be investigated in respect of informativity and readability. In reality, Korea’s labeling systems are different from some major countries including United States, EU and Canada which have provided seperate types of product information of medication for professionals and patients. Korea has made one type of package inserts based on the medicine classfication systems, such as prescription medicines and non-prescription medicines. This chapter not only evaluates whether the translation strategies meet the norms but also examines how the variables of readability affect the readers to pick up the information. In consideration for the various factors of readability, the study takes the translation measures including explication that gives the supplementary explanation to the readers, simplication, standarization, and disambiguation.
Since English and Korean have different word-order and syntax, translators can apply ‘translation shift’ in t
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