DIFFICULTIES IN DEALING WITH “UNTRANSLATABLE” CASES OF KOREAN LANGUAGE MAJORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES, VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI

Abstract

This research uses a synthesis and analysis method, in combination with practical surveys to investigate common difficulties encountered in translation, particularly when dealing with “untranslatable” cases, by students of the Faculty of Korean Language and Culture at the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. It identifies typical difficulties such as: not knowing how to convey the original text's contents, being unable to check vocabulary with dictionaries, lacking understanding of cultural differences, and not knowing how to research materials. The research points out that the primary cause of these difficulties stems from linguistic and cultural differences between the two languages, highlighting the importance of enhancing language proficiency and understanding various cultural aspects instead of just learning the foreign language. Therefore, the research proposes several solutions to address these difficulties and improve skills in dealing with “untranslatable” cases, with a focus on improving students’ cognition and strategic use of language for both source and target languages besides language learning.