The Journal of Studies in Language ISSN:1225-4770(Print) 2671-6151(Online) 언어연구

This study investigates cultural context and creative approaches in Korean internet meme localization among university students. Thirty-five English majors translated seven popular Korean memes into English, employing translation strategies including conventional equivalence, creative translation, and descriptive methods. Results revealed that 71.4% of participants demonstrated excellent or above-average reflection of cultural context. Students successfully navigated challenges in conveying humor, emotional nuance, and cultural references across linguistic boundaries. The findings suggest that meme translation activities effectively develop intercultural communication competence by requiring students to engage with both linguistic and cultural dimensions of communication simultaneously. This research contributes to understanding how digital cultural expressions can be integrated into language education to enhance students’ translation skills and cultural sensitivity in an increasingly interconnected global communication environment.