Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
Applying Translation Variation Theory to Children’s Literature Translation-A Case Study of the Korean Translation of the Secret of the Matryoshka Doll
Jiawei Ding
27 February 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 2, pp. 162-168
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E2/2026-11
Download full text (PDF)Cite this article
What is this article about?
The Secret of the Matryoshka Doll is one of the representative works of the Chinese children’s writer Cheng Wei and has long been popular among young readers in China. Its successful circulation in Korea has depended to a large extent on the availability of a high-quality translation.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 27 February 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 2, pp. 162-168
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
The Secret of the Matryoshka Doll is one of the representative works of the Chinese children’s writer Cheng Wei and has long been popular among young readers in China. Its successful circulation in Korea has depended to a large extent on the availability of a high-quality translation. Translating children’s literature requires careful attention to readers’ age and psychological characteristics, while also striving for language that is vivid, lively, and rich in childlike appeal. Unlike traditional translation theories that prioritise “faithful reproduction” of the source text, translation variation theory foregrounds the specific needs of target readers and advocates flexible adjustment of the original within an appropriate range so as to enhance the acceptability of the translation. Taking the Korean version of The Secret of the Matryoshka Doll translated by Kang Young-hee and published by Danbi Children’s Publishing House as a case study, this paper, within the framework of translation variation theory, examines seven techniques—addition, omission, editing, retelling, Condensation, integration, and revision. By comparing representative passages from the source text and the translation, it demonstrates that the translator’s reasoned adjustments and selections, guided by the reading expectations of child readers in the target language, make the translated text clearer, more accessible, more vivid, and better aligned with the reception habits of young readers abroad.
Keywords: The Secret of the Matryoshka Doll, children’s literature translation, translation variation theory, translation techniques, Korean translation
Cite this article
Jiawei Ding (2026). Applying Translation Variation Theory to Children’s Literature Translation-A Case Study of the Korean Translation of the Secret of the Matryoshka Doll. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(2), 162-168. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E2/2026-11
@article{Jiawei2026,
title = {Applying Translation Variation Theory to Children’s Literature Translation-A Case Study of the Korean Translation of the Secret of the Matryoshka Doll},
author = {Jiawei Ding},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {2},
pages = {162-168},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E2/2026-11},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E2/2026-11}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Jiawei Ding.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 2, Issue 2, pages 162-168, published by EP Journals Group on 27 February 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E2/2026-11 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E2/2026-11).
How do I cite this article?
APA: Jiawei Ding (2026). Applying Translation Variation Theory to Children’s Literature Translation-A Case Study of the Korean Translation of the Secret of the Matryoshka Doll. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(2), 162-168. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E2/2026-11
More research from JSSHRS
- From Project-Like Activities to Project-Based Learning: Identifying PBL Characteristics in Event Management Courses at Ho Chi Minh City University of Culture
Huynh Cong Duan, Vu Thi Bich Duyen · Oct 2026
- Revisiting the Uncanny Valley in the AI Era: A Review of Visual Artifacts and Aesthetic Perceptions in AI-Generated Characters
Muhan Li · Oct 2026
- Development of Students’ Self-Learning Competence in Teaching Political Theory Subjects in the Digital Environment
Vu Thi Ha · Oct 2026
- The Double-Edged Sword of Digital Transformation in Cultural Scenic Areas: Heterogeneous Moderation of Qilu Cultural Genes on Technology-Value Conversion Paths
Xu Lulu, Tara Ahmed Mohammed · Oct 2026
- Experience in Applying Active Learning Methods in Probability and Statistics at Gia Lai Medical College
Nguyen Nhu Tram · Oct 2026