Diana Akhmetova, a tourism management student at Kongju National University, has made history by winning the 56th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards Fiction Grand Prize, becoming the first winner whose native languages are neither Korean nor English. Born in Russia with Tatar and Russian as her mother tongues, Akhmetova translated Kim Ji-yeon's novel "The Things that Go By," a story exploring non-traditional relationships between women.
The Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards, organized by The Korea Times, have traditionally been dominated by native speakers of Korean or English, sometimes both languages. Akhmetova's victory represents a significant departure from this pattern, showcasing the growing diversity in Korean literary translation. Currently residing in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, she began learning English at age 6 and Korean at 14, demonstrating remarkable linguistic achievement across multiple languages.
Akhmetova's choice of Kim Ji-yeon's novel was deeply personal and purposeful. "What drew me to 'The Things that Go By' were the themes it explores," she explained. "Non-traditional relationships are still considered taboo by many, which often silences the real struggles faced by those who don't fit into conventional norms." The story follows a romantic relationship between two women and addresses complex themes of self-acceptance, finding one's place in the world, letting go of the past, and developing the courage to trust another person.
The translator found strong personal connections to the story's themes, drawing from her own experiences growing up in rural Russia. "I've always been strong-willed and stubborn by nature. I grew up in the countryside, where life teaches you resilience – I learned to chop wood, milk cows, handle tools, and, most importantly, never cry in front of others," Akhmetova shared. However, as she matured, she faced increasing pressure to conform to traditional gender expectations that felt unnatural to her.
"As I got older, I began to face expectations that didn't feel natural to me," she continued. "The women in my family wanted me to behave and look more feminine – to wear dresses, use makeup, talk about boys and play with dolls. None of that ever interested me. For a long time, I felt confused and out of place, as if something was wrong with me simply because I didn't fit the mold." This personal struggle with conformity and identity made her particularly sensitive to the novel's exploration of non-traditional relationships and minority experiences.
Through extensive reading and meeting diverse people, Akhmetova came to realize that conformity shouldn't be imposed by anyone, including family members. "We're all different, and that's what makes life interesting. For me, a person's gender has never defined my connection to them. I'm drawn to people's thoughts, values and actions – to who they are as human beings," she explained. "I find myself interested in both men and women, because each person carries their own unique world within them."
This personal revelation transformed her perspective entirely. "When I finally understood that there was nothing wrong with me – that the problem was the world's narrow view of what's normal – everything became lighter," Akhmetova said. "That's why I care deeply about stories that explore non-traditional relationships and minority experiences. I believe such stories can help people who feel lost or different realize that life is full of colors and countless shades in between."
Regarding her motivation to enter the translation contest, Akhmetova emphasized her commitment to personal growth and challenge-seeking. "As I got older, I realized that true growth comes from embracing challenges and stepping out of one's comfort zone," she stated. "I already had experience translating documents and subtitles, but literary translation was completely new to me, and I was curious to see if I could rise to the challenge." This willingness to venture into unfamiliar territory proved crucial to her success.
The translation process presented significant technical challenges, particularly in handling Korean linguistic nuances. "One of the main challenges was translating abbreviations and wordplay from Korean into English," Akhmetova noted. "These linguistic nuances often lose their full effect when translated. So finding creative equivalents was essential." Despite working between two non-native languages, she felt confident in her approach, explaining that English had become almost like a native language after years of study since childhood.
"I started learning English when I was 6, and over the years it has become almost like a native language to me. So I feel comfortable using it," she said. "The challenge lies in adapting quickly to the patterns of each language." This multilingual flexibility proved to be a significant advantage in creating a translation that captured both the literal meaning and emotional resonance of the original Korean text.
Looking beyond this award, Akhmetova has ambitious plans that extend far beyond literary translation. "After graduating, I hope to stay in Korea and build a career that lets me promote the country's beauty to the world," she revealed. "I truly believe that cultural exchange can make the world a kinder, more connected place." Her vision encompasses using her unique multicultural background and linguistic skills to bridge cultural gaps and foster international understanding through Korea's rich literary and cultural heritage.
