“I got to know that translation
is the 2nd creation.”
Ms. Paula Martinez Gual, a former KSI learner who translated
"I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki"

We met with Paula Martinez Gual, a former Barcelona KSI learner who translated "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki," a Korean essay that was on the bestseller list at that time when it was published in 2018 and has now been published in 25 countries, in Spanish. Ms. Gual, who has been studying Korean since she was aged 14 years, came to KSI when she was aged 20 years, and received an excellence award in the KSI Korean Language Speaking Contest last year. We asked her how she felt when translating this book.

Greetings Ms. Gual! What made you become interested in Korea?

When I was 14 years old, I happen to watch a Korean drama called "Boys Over Flowers." The drama was so much fun that it made me wonder what kind of country Korea is, leading me to think, ‘should I learn Korean?’ Back then the K-wave wasn’t popular in Spain so my friends or families didn’t understand me wanting to learn the Korean language.

Oh, I see. So, how and where did you first start studying Korean?

At first, I began studying on my own using the Internet, finding Korean grammar, words, and vocabularies, and watching Korean dramas and literary works. Then, as I attended a language school in Barcelona which had Korean language classes, I could start studying Korean more earnestly. I was worried because there were no higher level classes at that language school — but luckily, I started to attend Barcelona KSI in 2020 and I could study the Korean language more systematically and in-depth.

How was your class at Barcelona KSI?

It was good because KSI was more systematic than other language schools and offered high-level classes. Fortunately, at Barcelona KSI, I learned advanced vocabularies and had a lot of help while taking a class that made me focus on writing.

You received an excellence award in the 2022 KSI Korean Speaking Contest.

Yes, I did. I talked about ‘growth’ in the contest. Before the contest, I thought long and hard about ‘what growth means to me.’ I came to a conclusion that to me, growth means ‘achieving purposes professionally.’ Then, I worked hard at preparing for the contest. Once I actually participated in the contest, it was very helpful because I could learn what my areas of shortcomings are, and how I should study to improve my Korean. Moreover, I’m now studying Korean at Sogang University Korean Language Education Center because I won the contest. I really appreciate that.

I wonder how you feel about being selected as an outstanding learner and living in Korea.

I visited Korea for the first time last year to participate in the KSI’s invitation training for outstanding learners and I’ve been studying at Sogang University since September this year. I like everything even though it’s my first time living in Korea. Among other things, I really love Korean food — so going to Korean restaurants is one of my pleasures. There are, of course, Korean restaurants in Spain but you know, I can try real Korean food here. Most of all, my most favorite one is ‘Stir-fried Spicy Squid.’ I should go back to Spain to graduate from the university I attended there after I finish the language program in February next year. But, I want to come back here and continue my studies at a graduate school.

You translated a Korean book called "I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki" into Spanish.

Yes. I had a wonderful opportunity to translate a Korean book into Spanish with an offer from a publisher. I was a little nervous when I was first offered it but such an opportunity was really an honor for me, so I decided to work really hard and I did my best. You know, sometimes many countries understand each other and form good relations through literary works. I think it’s a great honor because it seems that I contributed to an improvement in relations between Spain and Korea.

What did you think after you read this book before translating it?

This is a book about the author, suffering from dysthymic disorder, writes about her mood swings, counselling and other things. While reading the book, I thought the author was a perfectionist just like me, and that made me feel a kinship with her. I also liked that I could learn a lot about myself, whom even I couldn’t understand well before I read the book.

Reading and translating are two entirely different areas. I’d like to listen to your story of translating this book.

Yes they are. In the course of translating this book, I realized again how different Spanish and Korean people are and how different our two countries are, also in our cultures. Translating those cultural differences was the most difficult task. For example, in parts where the main character felt too much guilt in a situation in which Spaniards wouldn’t feel guilty at all, I translated such parts by changing them accordingly for situations in Spain, or showing Koreans’ way of thinking as it is, depending on the situation at the moment.

What do you consider to be the most important aspect of translation?

I don’t know as much about it as more-experienced translators perhaps would, but what I’ve learned from my first translation this time is my native language ability is more important than anything else. I needed to be good at Spanish to translate well in terms of context and situations. Thankfully, I’ve enjoyed reading and writing since childhood and I think that helped me a lot. I learned that translation is literally ‘the 2nd creation.’

What is your dream you want to achieve after studying the Korean language?

I recently started to become interested in international relations, so I want to study the field of diplomacy more. I’ve been pondering what I can do to improve the relations between Spain and Korea. That's one of the opportunities I'm considering.