말Function
Veronica Choe
말Function examines the complexities of bilingual communication, exploring how language both bridges and fractures cultural identity. In Korean and English, meanings shift, some words are untranslatable, and conversations can easily turn into misunderstandings. The title merges the Korean word 말 (mal)—meaning "word" or "language"—with the English word “function” to form "malfunction," symbolizing both the connections language creates and the breakdowns, mistranslations, and disconnections that occur when navigating multiple languages.
This project takes form as a bilingual dictionary/thesaurus and interactive card game, offering an immersive exploration into the challenges of bilingualism. Through three sections—bilingual experience, untranslatable words, and interviews with bilingual speakers—말Function compiles personal anecdotes, vernacular definitions, and conversations with Korean Americans, highlighting the ways in which language both facilitates and complicates relationships. With a lighthearted approach, the project dissects linguistic ambiguity and mistranslations, exploring the ongoing tension between communication and miscommunication as a bilingual.