Chosŏn Echoes of Tang Poetry - Translating Yi Tal's Hansi into English

Abstract

This study explores the challenges and potential solutions in translating Korean Hansi, specifically focusing on the works of Yi Tal (1539-1612), into English. Hansi, Korean poetry written in classical Chinese, presents a unique challenge due to its position at the intersection of Korean and Chinese literary traditions. The paper aims to develop a methodology for translating Hansi that preserves both its linguistic features and cultural nuances. The research begins by examining various translation theories and practices, particularly in the context of classical Chinese poetry translation. It discusses the tension between literal and interpretive translation approaches. The proposed approach distinguishes between imagistic and propositional language within the Recent-style Poetry structure. The method aims to preserve the structural integrity of the original while allowing for creative interpretation of imagery, thus bridging the gap between literal fidelity and poetic resonance. As specific examples, firstly, this paper examines the syntactic structure of Yi Tal's Hansi, considering how he used the enumeration of ‘nouns' to express concrete imagery. It also explores how these characteristics, when used alongside the narrative parts of the poem, create a unique aesthetic appeal. Secondly, the study investigates how Yi Tal effectively employed ‘sound' within the imagery of his poetry. By expressing not only pictorial images but also acoustic effects, he successfully conveyed complex imagery. Additionally, he arranged words based on Korean pronunciations of Chinese characters, allowing regional characteristics to emerge when the poems are recited. Lastly, the paper discusses poems where Yi Tal used Chinese historical allusions to express his own circumstances. When translating these characteristics of Yi Tal's poetry into English, the study contemplates methods to maximally express the formal features of the poems, the poet's intentions, and the aesthetic effects. This research shows how careful attention to both form and content can produce a translation that honors the original while engaging an English-language audience. The translation process considers the unique characteristics of Recent-style Poetry, including its strict structural format and the interplay between syntax and imagery. The paper also emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context in which the poetry was produced. Yi Tal's work, created during a time when Song-style poetry dominated in Chosŏn Korea, represents a deliberate return to Tang-style aesthetics. This contextual understanding is helpful for accurate and meaningful translation. This research highlights the ongoing relevance of classical poetry in contemporary cross-cultural communication. As global interest in Korean culture grows, translations of works like Yi Tal's Hansi can serve as bridges, offering insights into Korean literary traditions and their connections to broader East Asian cultural heritage.