Title: Translation of Classifications: Issues and Solutions as Exemplified in the Korean Decimal Classifica
1Translation of Classifications Issues and
Solutions as Exemplified in the Korean Decimal
Classification
- Barbara H. Kwasnik
- You-Lee Chun
- Syracuse University
- July 14, 2004
2Hospitable Translations Not Just a Question of
Translating Terms
- Many difficulties arise in the process of
translation of a classification system from the
source to another language and another culture. - To be hospitable, a classification designed from
one perspective must take into account other
possible ways of identifying and labeling
concepts and other possible relationships among
concepts.
3Our Study
- We analyzed one instance of a classification
translation the Korean Decimal Classification,
which was translated and adapted from the Dewey
Decimal Classification.
4The KDC
- The representative classification scheme in
Korea, and used in most government, public and
school libraries. - Modeled in the 1940s on the DDC.
- Adopted by the Korean Library Association in
1964. - 1st edition published in 1964 the most recent
4th, which we used, published in 1997.
5The KDC
- Adopted the basic structure and main classes from
the DDC - Main difference languages located in 700s in KDC
(400s in DDC) - Many other differences throughout point to the
attempts of the designers to accommodate the
Korean balance and significance of subjects.
6Study Design
- We isolated several sections of the KDC that we
anticipated would demonstrate significant
cultural and linguistic differences - Religion
- Social Problems
- Customs and Folklore
- Domestic Sciences and Domestic Life
- Architecture
- Calligraphy
7Guiding Question for Analysis
- How and to what extent had the KDC coped with the
problem of adapting the culturally embedded DDC
to accommodate Korean culture and sensibilities?
8Procedures
- We made concept-by-concept comparison of terms in
the selected sections of the KDC with the
analogous terms or sections of the DDC. - We noted differences and similarities of terms
and structure. - We also tried to determine the reasons for the
differences, using the expertise of one of the
authors, who is Korean.
9Analysis
- We used the analytical framework developed by
Kwasnik Locktionova in a previous study.
Specifically we analyzed for - Smooth and basically equivalent translation, or
- The presence of translation issues, such as
- Empty lexical or conceptual categories
- Differences in term specificity
- Differences in class placement
10Empty Lexical or Conceptual Categories
- Instances in which terms appear in one
classification scheme but not the other,
suggesting that these are concepts specific to
one culture or language but not the other.
11Terms Unique to the KDC
12Differences in Term Specificity
- Use of a broad, encompassing term in one scheme,
with a correspondingly rich array of specific
terms in the other. - We inferred that topics that are more finely
differentiated are of greater importance and
require more precision in their expression. - It does not necessarily mean the concept does not
exist in the analogous scheme, only that it is
not invoked.
13Terms More Specific in the DDC
- Design and decoration of structures finely
subdivided into e.g., Design in horizontal plane
Decoration in mosaic, etc. - Folklore developed along many dimensions, e.g.,
Folklore about ghosts
- Many kinds of Railroad stations
- Many kinds of Recreation buildings, e.g.,
Athletic clubs Dance halls - Elaborately developed Buildings for religious and
related purposes
14Terms More Specific in the KDC
- Many kinds of Communications buildings e.g.,
Telegraph offices Telephone offices, etc. - Buddhism developed in great detail in its own
section
- History of architecture developed with many
specific terms in the schedules (rather than the
Tables) - Calligraphy has many specific terms for each type
of writing and style
15Class Placement
- A concept is present in both schemes but is
located in a different part of the classification.
16Differences in Class Placement
- Differences can be
- Small the concept occurs in only a slightly
different location. The difference seems
incidental and does not seem to indicate a very
different way of understanding the concept. - Moderate Indicates a somewhat different way of
understanding the concept, but not so different
that it would pose a stretch to either set of
users. - Radical KDC and DDC users construe the concepts
in a fundamentally different way.
17Small Differences
18Moderate Differences
19Radical Differences
20More Radical Differences
21Conclusions
- Designers of the KDC did an impressive job of
adapting a Western-biased tool to the specific
context of Korean language and culture. - Admirable sensitivity to differences of emphasis,
terminology, and conceptual structure.
22Interesting Observation Which Korean Culture
Should Be Represented?
- The KDC reflects a culture undergoing rapid
change. - In particular, recreation, housing, social
attitudes, the arts, and the notions of public
and private domains are all shifting. - Western attitudes are filtering into Korea, and
the process is steady and longstanding.
23Many Layers of Translation
- The KDC is faced with the representation of both
traditional and contemporary ideas. - Thus, this can be seen as layered on top of the
issues of translation from the DDC.
24Classification in a Global Environment
- We believe that it is a good thing to exploit and
adapt existing conceptual schemes, such as the
DDC, but - Care must be taken not to violate the conceptual
structures of the target language. - At the same time, both our own cultural
artefacts, and those elsewhere are shifting, and
so the task of harmonizing classifications is
made all the more difficult, and also more
important.