The Korean language has undergone significant changes over the past couple decades, due to western influences on the culture. Consequently, Korean language vocabulary, idiosyncrasies and other characteristics have also undergone changes. Because the Korean language is still changing in many regards, what was once the proper way of speaking or writing to a particular audience, may now very well be outdated. In order to be sure your Korean translation is current and appropriate, only a high quality translation company should provide any Korean to English translation for professional documents.

Korean is based upon the relationship between the speaker or writer and their audience, and reflected in the verb endings and other grammatical structures of Korean. This will invariably affect the Korean to English translation, insofar as the voice, formality, and audience references are concerned. Bilingual Korean-Americans or Koreans immersed in English speaking cultures are the best type of translators, and are usually those used by top translation companies.

A few examples of the intricacy and counter-intuitiveness of the Korean language for English speakers, which affect the translation process, are below in the following bullet points.

1. In traditional Korean culture and language, honorifics are the most important characteristic of the Korean language, which like most other Asian languages, is strictly adhered to both culturally and linguistically, as they are completely related and interdependent. The 7 forms or stages of honorifics, with the highest six being grouped together and called "jondaenmal" and the lowest of which is used between family members, is called "bonmal." The cultural statuses of the speaker and to whom the speaker is addressing decides which speech form is used.

2. Because Korean culture has become more and more westernized, exchanging years of collectivist culture for now what is essentially individualism, this has significantly affected honorifics and other language aspects. A native Korean speaker would be much more aware of all these more modern usages and speech forms, and know how to translate them to English in the most appropriate, accurate way. A non-native speaker may very well be unaware or inexperienced with contemporary language forms.

3. The Korean language contains a group of conjugated adjectives, called hyeong-yongsa, for which there is no English equivalent. Often inexperienced translators will translate these as verbs, when they are in fact, a special kind of adjective. For example, the word pukda literally translates as "to be red," which misleadingly sounds like an infinitive verb form, when in actuality, it is a Korean adjective. Translating these words as verbs is often an inaccurate Korean to English translation for this category of Korean words, which novice or inexperienced translators often do not recognize.

4. Because the Korean language does not use verb tenses there are subtle markers which indicate present or past tense. Verb tense in Korean is indicated by marks such as os'/s' , or by the following sentence. A sentence such as "Peter went to Europe" in Korean, could mean several different things, but be written virtually the same way. It could mean that Peter went to Europe and is there now, or, that Peter has gone to Europe in the past, or even that Peter recently went to Europe and has now returned. While a novice translator would likely translate simply, "Peter went to Europe," a much more accurate Korean to English translation will reveal a more precise meaning.

Especially in regards to professional document translation, complete accuracy in a Korean language translation is crucial. Always ensure that the translation company you employ is not only professional and reliable, but also trustworthy enough to build a business relationship with. Confidence is crucial when your business reputation within a foreign market is often determined by the quality of your translation, and therefore obviously also your translation company.