Few cultures have experienced a surge in worldwide popularity like Korean. In fact, this growth even has its own name – “Hallyu,” literally “Korean Wave” – coined by Chinese journalists in the 1990s who noticed the increasing demand for Korean entertainment in China. Fast forward 30 years, and there are no signs of its popularity starting to dwindle just yet.
Some US colleges report a rise of almost 80% in enrollments in Korean-language courses, while some universities have even ventured to create a bespoke summer class aimed at helping students who intend to travel to Korea for their studies.
From K-Pop to K-Dramas, via the world of Korean fashion and beauty and, of course, not forgetting Korean cuisine, the United States and beyond continue to be swept away by the Korean wave. Amid this context, it’s hardly surprising that the surge in demand for Korean translation services has also reached an all-time high.
What Are Korean Translation Services?
The phrase “Korean translation services” encompasses a whole array of services, from translating a short, one-off document (such as, for instance, a birth certificate, letter of recommendation or diploma) all the way to the translation of a 90,000-word novel – and everything in between! While English-speaking individuals seeking to communicate effectively in Korean (and vice versa) might require such services, so too do large companies that aim to tap into Korean markets.
Underpinning every successful relationship, whether personal or business, is mutual understanding. At the heart of understanding is effective communication,
Korean Speakers in New York
Few cities in the world are as vibrant and multicultural as New York. It comes as little surprise, therefore, that there are somewhere in the region of 150,000 Korean speakers there, including both native Koreans and second-generation Korean Americans. Some of the neighborhoods with the most significant Korean-speaking communities include Manhattan’s Koreatown (“K-Town”) and Flushing in Queens.
Aside from these established communities, you’ll also find discernible Korean influences across the New York metropolis. There is no shortage of Korean restaurants and food trucks, where you’ll find a plethora of tasty Korean food. These range from the more famous dishes, such as bibimbap and kimchi, to lesser-known specialties like dakbal (spicy chicken feet) or nakji bokkeum (spicy stir-fried octopus).
Unsurprisingly, given New York’s status as one of the world’s greatest fashion capitals, there’s no shortage of Korean fashion and beauty boutiques, including brands such as Gentle Monster, Jaeyoon Jeong and SJYP. Moreover, you’ll find a wealth of Korean-inspired art exhibitions, movies and theatrical performances, illustrating the widespread impact of this prominent cultural wave.
The Korean Language: Creative Expressions
Korean culture is widely embraced, and there is now a growing interest in its linguistic origins to gain a better understanding of its roots. One distinctive fascinating aspect of the Korean language lies in the abundance of inventive idioms and phrases. This no doubt reflects a wider cultural creativity, but also underscores the need for an expert translator in order to communicate effectively.
Let’s take a look at some examples:
- 가재는 게 편이라
Literal meaning: Crayfish is on the side of crabs
How it’s used: An idiom to mean that similar or like-minded people tend to stick together.
- 서울에서 김서방 찾기
Literal meaning: It’s like trying to find Mr. Kim in Seoul
How it’s used: This phrase refers to the task of looking for something that’s impossible to find, similar to the English expression, “searching for a needle in a haystack”.
- 개천 에서 용났다
Literal meaning: The dragon was born in a stream.
How it’s used: This expression is used to describe someone from modest origins who has done well for themselves.
- 귀 빠진날
Literal meaning: The day your ear was pulled out
How it’s used: It’s an expression that means “birthday”! This perhaps best sums up the creativity of the Korean language, highlighting the need for an experienced translator who not only has mastery of the complex Korean script but also understands the many idioms, proverbs and inventive expressions that form an integral part of the way communication takes place.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at our selection of the top five providers of Korean translation services in New York!
Coming in first place is Capital Linguists. This translation agency has a proven track record for its language solutions, with a team of world-class, dedicated Korean experts. Capital Linguists provides an array of translation services, including both general and specialized document translations (including certification services). Among its Korean linguists, you’ll find specialists in legal, medical, technical and financial translation services, as well as those with particular expertise in the world of Korean culture and entertainment.
Operating in New York and beyond, Capital Linguists also offers a range of interpreting services, from one-to-one or telephonic interpretation to large and highly complex interpretation for international conferences. You can also rely on Capital Linguists to provide Korean localization services, along with subtitling and transcreation. This agency is a standout provider of Korean translation services in New York.
2. NLC Translations
Serving the New York City area, NLC Translations provides reliable Korean translations for a range of contexts. It can deliver certified translations, as well as official translations in Korean, suitable for governmental purposes. This might be a certified passport or birth certificate translation, or legal contracts or documentation. This agency also works in academic translations, offering translation between a variety of languages, including Korean.
3. Apoling Solutions
Apoling is proud of its reputation for high-quality translations in and around New York City. Serving individuals and small businesses around the state, this agency delivers reliable official translations of various documents. These include documents and certificates for immigration purposes, as well as legal and medical translations.
4. Language Unlimited
This agency has Korean translators available for your documents, and its reputation for accuracy means it is a reliable option. From certificates to manuals and much more, Language Unlimited provides dependable language solutions in New York
5. Korean Translation Group
This agency specializes in Korean language services and works with a pool of translators across the city and further afield.
Never have experts in Korean been more in demand. Whatever the reasons behind your search for high-quality, reliable and accurate Korean experts, we hope our selection of New York’s top five will help you to eliminate those language obstacles and begin liaising with Korean speakers in no time at all!
