The translation process from the source text to the target text inevitably encounters the problem of untranslatability. This occurs because the semantic fields of one language differ from those of another due to cultural factors. The problem of untranslatability can be addressed through transformation and subjective correspondences, which, according to Lotman's theory, are described as myths. A myth refers to something that signifies illogicality, in contrast to logic. To explain mythicity, the concept of 'proper nouns' is employed. The name of an object is not based on a logical reasoning or justification, but represents a direct identification, becoming a unique entity in the world. This paper examines the poems of Yun Dong-ju and Lee Sang as case studies to demonstrate how untranslatability is resolved when these poems are translated into other languages. Poetry is a type of text in which untranslatability is maximized, thus highlighting its mythic qualities. Parts of the text that cannot be translated logically due to cultural or contextual factors are reinterpreted by the translator, creating the expression plane. Some parts are translated literally, others are left as they are, like proper nouns, and in cases of extreme cultural differences, translator's notes are added to complete the expression plane. Understanding the situations in which untranslatability arises and how the translator’s interpretation transforms these situations reflects how the culture of the recipient is expressed.

In this study, I analyze the English translation of The Genial Seed, which is an anthology of Japanese medieval planting songs. The English translation was published in 1971 by Frank Hoff(1932-2013) who was a scholar of comparative literature. The characteristic of The Genial Seed is that they are passed down orally. So, it is difficult to understand the meaning of the songs and it is not easy to match the rhythm. Nevertheless, this translation faithfully translates the original text in terms of form and content. Also, reading The Genial Seed through the translation brings diverse possibilities of the interpretation. In this presentation, I will compare and analyze the lyrics of The Genial Seed between the original Japanese and English translation and discuss expansion of interpretability.