Inconsistent English Translations of Proper Nouns in South Korea: A Call for Standardization

South Korea faces a growing problem of inconsistent English translations for proper nouns, creating confusion and hindering communication, particularly with international audiences. While the country has a standard Romanization system, exceptions are made for certain names, leading to inconsistencies. For example, the Geumsansa Temple may be found as ‘Keumsansa Temple’ on some tourist information boards. This inconsistency extends to city names, with ‘Si’ often incorrectly translated as ‘City.’ The recent incorrect Romanization of former president Park Chung Hee’s name on a public sign in Daegu has highlighted the need for a stricter adherence to the standard system. Experts argue that enforcing a standardized Romanization system, even for proper nouns, would be crucial for resolving this issue and enhancing international communication.