Translation of Korean Food Names into Russian in Literary Texts: Human vs. Generative AI

This paper explores the challenges of translating Korean food names found in literary texts into Russian. These elements serve not only a nominative function but also carry symbolic, stylistic, and cultural-identificational significance. The study focuses on a short story from contemporary Korean literature, in which food is referenced as part of the characters’ everyday lives, as well as an element of their ethnocultural identity and emotional context.<br/> Through textual analysis and a comparative study of human and machine-generated translations, the article identifies key translation difficulties, including the rendering of cultural realia, connotations, and narrative atmosphere. The paper also discusses theoretical frameworks for choosing translation strategies that accurately convey the author's intent and determine appropriate forms of translator’s commentary. The discussion reflects on the extent to which AI can contribute to literary translation and emphasizes the continued importance of the human translator as a mediator of cultural and emotional context.