A Polysystem Revisited in Korea and a Discussion for a System Evolution

Abstract

This study delved into the process of polysystem theory application in Korea from the selection of literary works for translation to shifts in translation activities. According to the polysystem theory, many systems in the target culture correlate in the way source texts are selected for translation and translated into target texts. A previous researcher(Chang, Nam Fung) specified the theory and categorized the systems into political, ideological, economical, linguistic, literary, and translational polysystems after being conscious of criticisms about the theory that it is too subjective or unspecified to apply for further research. Based on the suggested augmented version of the polysystem theory, this study contemplated it further, reflecting specific cases and circumstances in Korea. On top of that, this paper suggested to add a responsive polysystem among other things because readers, these days, are more likely to express their opinions about translation than before thanks to the development of the Internet and the media, and their responses are getting critical in that they have a bigger impact on the actual translation activities.