taz.de
International Literature Prize Awarded to Kim Hyesoon for Poem Collection on Life and Death
The International Literature Prize awarded Kim Hyesoon for her poem collection exploring life and death, inspired by the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster; the €35,000 prize also recognizes her translation team for overcoming linguistic challenges.
- How did the Sewol ferry disaster influence the themes and style of Hyesoon's award-winning work?
- Hyesoon's work uses the ambiguity of Korean grammar to convey the inexpressible nature of death, posing significant challenges for translation. The translators, Sool Park and Uljana Wolf, collaborated extensively, creating a "ghost language" that reflects the original's rhythm and imagery while maintaining its unique qualities. This collaborative process highlights the crucial role of translation in bringing international literature to a wider audience.
- What is the significance of the International Literature Prize's unique recognition of both author and translator team?
- Kim Hyesoon's poem collection, exploring the space between life and death, won the International Literature Prize. The poems, inspired by the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, express her grief and anger at the corrupt regime. The prize, totaling €35,000, uniquely recognizes both the author and her translation team.
- What insights into the future does Hyesoon's work, in its exploration of death and South Korea's societal context, offer?
- The award's recognition of both author and translators underscores a shift in perspective on literary translation, valuing the collaborative process as central to the work's impact. Hyesoon's exploration of death through the lens of the Sewol tragedy provides commentary on South Korea's rapid societal and technological advancements, suggesting a dystopian future. This focus on translation and the complex cultural context further elevates the significance of international literary prizes.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing emphasizes the collaborative and innovative nature of the translation process, highlighting the challenges and artistic achievements involved. This focus, while positive, could overshadow other potential interpretations of Hyesoon's work or the significance of the award itself. The headline (if there was one) likely influenced this framing by focusing on the award and the unique collaboration aspect, therefore potentially downplaying other important aspects of the event or Kim Hyesoon's work.
Language Bias
The language used is generally neutral and descriptive. However, terms like "düsterere Bilder" (darker images) in describing Hyesoon's poems could be considered slightly loaded, although it accurately reflects the poem's themes. More neutral alternatives might include "poignant images" or "intense imagery". The description of South Korea as a "dystopian future" is a strong and potentially subjective characterization. While reflecting Park's perspective, it could be presented more cautiously.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the award ceremony and the translation process, potentially omitting other relevant aspects of Kim Hyesoon's work or the broader context of South Korean literature. While the "Sewol" ferry disaster is mentioned as inspiration, a deeper exploration of its impact on Hyesoon's writing or its wider socio-political implications could provide a richer understanding. The article also doesn't discuss the other shortlisted authors in detail, limiting the reader's ability to fully assess the selection process and the significance of Hyesoon's win.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the Sewol Ferry disaster and the author's anger at the corrupt regime's cover-up. The award acknowledges the importance of confronting such injustices and giving voice to victims. The focus on translation also promotes cross-cultural understanding and dialogue, contributing to stronger institutions.