Application to open for literary translation grant

Applications will soon open for this year’s grant for Korean literary translation, research and publication in overseas countries, the Daesan Foundation announced this week.

The annual support fund each year selects some 25 applicants who wish to translate Korean works of literature into foreign languages, research Korean literature overseas and publish their translated work of Korean literary works in foreign countries.

Applicants for Korean literary translation category must choose one piece of Korean literary work among the list of books provided by the foundation, available on its website. The list includes last year’s Daesan Literary Award winners: poet Shin Dal-ja’s collection of poems “Papers,” playwright Choi Chi-eon’s “Play of Insanity” and author Im Chul-woo’s “Farewell Valley.”

Selected translators who choose to translate the works into English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese will each receive 15 million won. Those who choose to translate the works into Chinese, Russian, Turkish, and other East European languages will receive 10 million won. Applicants who wish to translate K-lit pieces into languages other than those listed above will receive five million to eight million won.

The research grant is open for scholars, students and translators who specialize in Korean literature in foreign countries. Research institutions as a group can also apply. Selected recipients will each receive 5 million to 10 million won.

The recipients of the publication grant will each receive $2,000 to $6,000. The category is open to those who would like to publish their translations of Korean literature in foreign countries.

Applications will open on Daesan Foundation’s website at http://www.daesan.org on Feb. 20. One can also pick up the application forms in person at Daesan Foundation’s head office located in Kyobo Bookstore building near Gwanghwamun station on Subway Line No. 5.

All applications must be received by May 31. Successful applicants will be announced in August. For more information, call (02) 721-3202-3.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)