칠서七書의 언해와 그 국어사적 의의

This paper aims to consider the characteristics in translation of Chilseo-eonhae and discuss its significance in the history of Korean Language. The translation of Chilseo-eonhae had two important characteristics: a literal, word-for-word translation and heavy use of Sino-Korean compared to other literature. Chilseo-eonhae followed the tendency to keep many Chinese words from the original text in translated Korean sentences. This is especially true for nouns, but predicates were also often used as verbs or adjectives by adding affixes ‘-ha-’ or ‘-hop-’ to Chinese word roots. These characteristics are due to its translation purpose and readers’ class. The translation of Chilseo-eonhae was for accurate understanding of the meaning of Confucian Classics and its readers were intellectuals who were able to read and understand Chinese characters. Therefore, it was important that the translation be word-for-word and keep many Chinese words to be sure that the exact meaning was conveyed. Also, awkward, partial translation in which Chinese characters from the original text were not changed to Korean words was allowed. Chilseo-eonhae was considered the standard for translation because it was recognized as a translation format that achieved completeness and spread the use of Hangeul among intellectuals. It also influenced the general tendency of translation in the late Joseon Dynasty toward a literal translation from an original text.