Ethic and Emic Perspectives in Cross-Cultural Translation: A Study of Indonesian Folklore into Korean
Keywords:
Etic–emic perspective, Tagmemic theory, cultural translation, folklore translation, Indonesian–Korean translationAbstract
Translating culturally embedded folklore across typologically and culturally distinct languages presents challenges that extend beyond lexical equivalence. This study examines the Korean translation of the Indonesian folktale Sangkuriang by integrating Kenneth L. Pike’s etic–emic distinction with Tagmemic theory and principles of translation equivalence. Using a qualitative descriptive design, the research analyzes selected culture-bound expressions to identify how structural choices reflect cultural positioning. The findings reveal that translation operates along a continuum between etic orientation, characterized by structural fidelity and lexical preservation, and emic orientation, marked by cultural adaptation and interpretive mediation. Tagmemic analysis demonstrates that shifts in slot, class, role, and cohesion correspond to deeper cultural negotiations, particularly in expressions related to morality, cosmology, and familial authority. By proposing a Tagmemic–Ethnographic Model of Translation, this study offers a systematic framework for tracing how linguistic structure mediates cultural meaning. The research contributes to translation studies by operationalizing the etic–emic framework and revitalizing Tagmemic theory within cross-cultural translation analysis.
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