An Analysis of the Differences between English and Translated Picture Books in Korean in Predictable Pattern Books

Abstract

This study sought to explore the types of predictable pattern books are suitable for reading aloud, the differences between English and translated Korean picture books in terms of their characteristics of speakability and the meaning of sentences. This study investigated a total of 112 picture books. The predictable pattern types were analyzed specifically, compared with onomatopoeia, mimetic words, repetition, rhyme, the shift of sentence and style types. The results indicated that predictable pattern books could be classified into eight types and the number of sentences in translated books increased owing to the difference of sentence structure. In terms of speakability, words in repetition, onomatopoeia and mimetic words represented higher frequency except rhyme because of the difference of characteristics of the two languages. Furthermore, translations used strategies of the shift in sentence and style types for speakability. These findings demonstrate that predictable pattern books can serve as good materials to read aloud for young children not only in terms of English picture books but also translated books regardless of concerns regarding their speakability.