| Abstract [eng] |
The MA thesis investigates fan translation practices within the BTS fan community on Twitter. The study’s aim is twofold: to explore the distinctive features of fan-translated content as elucidated by fan-translators and explore the emerging trends within the translated content to determine why fans find it engaging. To fulfil the set aim, three main objectives were delineated: to conduct an exhaustive literature review, scrutinise the interview responses, and employ a constructionist approach to narrative analysis to identify the emerging trends in the translated content. The data for the study consists of interview responses from six fan-translators and a self-compiled corpus of 92 fan-translated posts on Twitter. The analysis of these posts employs a constructionist approach, which focuses not only on linguistic analysis but also considers contextual, interpersonal, social, and cultural relations. A comprehensive literature analysis was conducted to establish a theoretical foundation for all relevant elements of the thesis, including the Korean Wave, K-pop, BTS, fandom, social media and its cross-cultural and multilingual aspects, social identity theory, and the constructionist approach to discourse analysis. The literature overview confirms that BTS, as a global representative of K-pop, promotes South Korean culture and significantly contributes to its soft power, with their success largely attributed to their communication with fans through social media. Despite some stigma around the academic analysis of pop culture, researchers highlight the unique dynamics of K-pop fandoms, emphasizing the need for further research in this evolving interdisciplinary field. The analysis of interview responses reveals that the primary motivation for fan translation is to give back to fellow fans and accurately convey BTS’s words. While translating can diminish the enjoyment of BTS’s content, feedback from fans makes the effort worthwhile. Linguistically, translating from Korean to English is challenging due to differences between the languages, yet it is possible to preserve the original sentiment. Fan translations, being unregulated, offer more flexibility than mainstream media, which must adhere to strict guidelines. Consequently, fan-translators, know the necessary context for accurate translations. There is no competition among them, and they do not feel they hold a special position within the fandom. They unanimously agree that fan translations have significantly contributed to the globalization of K-pop. The analysis of translated posts from BTS members to ARMYs (the official fandom name) reveals that the artists communicate in a casual tone, using emotive language techniques, particularly metaphorical expressions, fostering a strong connection with fans. This casual and uplifting content contributes to an image of BTS as humble and thankful. Comparing different translations of the same text showed variations in the choice of ‘I’ versus ‘we’ and slight differences in tenses. Fans engage with the translations primarily by replying to BTS members, interacting with each other, and engaging with translators. Despite these slight variations, translations generally follow a strict template, indicating that the translation activities within the ARMY fandom are highly organized and well-functioning. The study reveals that fan translators play a significant role in bridging cultures within the multicultural fandom. This thesis aims to contribute to the emerging field of linguistic research through the lens of fandom and pop culture. |
