고전 번역 관련 대중서 발간의 현황과 과제

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the popularization of classical translation in Korea since the 2000s, examine its achievements and limitations, and suggest future tasks. First, it provides an overview of the publication status of classical translations by genre and analyzes major publishers and representative series. Since the 2000s, classical translation has been actively carried out in various genres such as Hansi (Chinese poetry), prose, diaries, letters, and travel records, achieving significant growth in both quantity and quality. This was the result of passionate efforts by major researchers and active planning by the publishing industry to communicate with the public. However, recently there have been signs of stagnation, such as a decrease in the number of publications and an increase in the duplicate publication of a few already well-known classics. For the continuous development of classical translation, it is necessary to seek new translation methodologies suitable for the digital era. It is also an urgent task to actively nurture the next generation of translators to succeed the existing masters. Above all, it is required to constantly attempt new interpretations and actively communicate with readers so that the classics become a living link to the present life, not a relic of the past. When we recognize that classical translation is not simply a task of translating old languages into modern languages, but a creative act that connects the past and the present and embodies the humanities spirit, our classics will be able to take deeper roots in the public.