문학번역의 문체 매개와 수용에 관한 고찰: 「소나기」 영어 번역본의 LIWC 분석을 토대로

Abstract

This study examines stylistic variations in three English translations of Hwang Sun-won's short story Sonagi, a widely acclaimed work of modern Korean literature. Recognizing that literary translation involves both linguistic and affective mediation, this research employs the computational tool Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) to identify and quantify stylistic features across the translations. The analysis explores how translators’ linguistic choices—ranging from pronoun and conjunction usage to emotional tone and modality—shape narrative voice and affective resonance in the target texts. Findings indicate that while all three translations stylistically diverge from typical English short fiction, each introduces distinctive features reflecting the translator's interpretation of the original. One version, for instance, emphasizes clarity and cohesion, while another preserves the poetic conciseness of the source text. These differences point to varying effects on reader perception and emotional engagement. This study demonstrates the potential of LIWC to detect stylistic shifts in translation and underscores the value of combining quantitative tools with literary analysis. Ultimately, it argues that translators are co-creators of meaning, and that their stylistic decisions play a crucial role in mediating literary experience between author and reader.