Focusing on Korean-Japanese translation of political cartoon

Relationship between Verbalization Translation and
Intertextuality: Focusing on Korean-Japanese
translation of political cartoons
PARK, Mijung
Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea
Abstract/ Résumé
Le but de cette étude est de réfléchir sur la traduction des dessins satiriques dans presse
écrite, une tâche particulièrement exigeante car il s’agit de traduire non seulement le texte
mais aussi l’image visuel qui l’accompagne. Cette article se penche particulièrement sur la
traduction des dessins satiriques coréens en japonais. Quelques exemples de la traduction
sont pris dans deux types de dessins satiriques (planche à caricature unique et planche à 4
dessins). Ils sont analysés par la suite à l’aide des concepts théoriques tels que la structure
narrative et l’intertextualité, afin de démontrer la corrélation entre celles-ci et les stratégies
optées par les traducteurs.
Keywords/ Mots-Clés
Cartoons, semiotics, intertextuality, narrative, verbalization translation
I. Introduction
Language text and graphic text is closely combined together in political cartoon texts
that the meaning cannot be fully conveyed when the graphic text is not presented.
(Yang, 2000: 140). Therefore, how to handle visual image during the translation of
political cartoon translation is an important issue. In other words, whether the translator
should leave the graphic text as it is and translate the written text or translate graphic
text and written text together need to be determined. In this sense, the political cartoon
is a genre with the visual image serving as an important factor of translation which was
never given the attention it deserved. Therefore, this paper will focus on the translation
of visual image in political cartoons.
The Japanese translation service of political cartoons, which is the target of analysis
in this paper, is being offered by The Chosun Ilbo and The Dong-A Ilbo. The Chosun
Ilbo began its translation of one-frame political cartoons entitled “Chosun Political
Cartoon” on January 3, 2000. The Dong-A Ilbo began its Japanese news service on July
135
10, 2000, and the translation of political cartoons began on July 31, 2000. From April
10, 2002, the format changed from one-frame cartoons to four-frame ones
According to preliminary research conducted for this study, it was found that the
description of the picture was added in the target text (TT) in the translation of political
cartoons in the Chosun Ilbo and the Dong-A Ilbo. In the case of the translation of the
four-frame cartoon in the Dong-A Ilbo, only the written text tended to be translated.
Based on the result of the preliminary research, this paper shall study the following
subjects: First, the reason for the difference in translation method, and second, the
relationship between verbalization translation and intertextuality. To do so, this study
will be conducted based on the translation of one-frame cartoons and four-frame ones in
The Chosun Ilbo and Dong-A Ilbo, which offer their translation service from Korean
into Japanese. This paper will study a range of prominent characteristics of
intertextuality data to fit the research question.
II. Theoretical background
2.1 Characteristics and differences between one-frame and four-frame cartoons
One-frame cartoons, which are considered political cartoons, are differentiated from
others on account of their satire. In other words, their merit lies in the direct satire
regarding current affairs or issues. In linguistics, Lee (1990: 87) defined the one-frame
political cartoon by saying that “its meaning cannot be completely understood solely
without observing the picture.” As such, the appeal of a picture as a visual image is
important in one-frame cartoon. Meanwhile, a four-frame cartoon generally refers to
one composed of four panels. Normally, it appears in newspapers or magazines and
delivers a story effectively using the given four panels. Furthermore, “a four-frame
cartoon, basically, has a narrative structure with introduction, development, turn and
conclusion” (Lee, 2005: 18).
Then, let us look at the characteristics and differences between the one-frame and
four-frame cartoons. Both have visual images in common like written signs and picture
signs which influence the meaning. The size, thickness and font of the letter function as
136 Relationship between Verbalization Translation and Intertextuality: …