Conglish

Conglish (from English konglish ( Ko rea n + En glish ); ( cor. 콩글리시 ; RR; konggeullisi) is the English language used in the Republic of Korea , as well as English with a Korean accent.

Conglish has become widespread in the Republic of Korea as a result of US cultural influence. In the DPRK, there is no such thing as a “Conglish”. The process of industrialization began in the Republic of Korea only in the 20th century and went in parallel with the country's introduction to the world of Western culture. For quite some time this communion took place through Japanese mediation. Korean has traces of this phenomenon. There are many borrowings from Western European languages, including English, which came through Japanese. After the war, the economy of the Republic of Korea was completely reoriented towards the development of American technical experience. Mass introduction to the new intermediary language began.

Content

Examples

self - "self-service"

selpeu (셀프) <self

poclain - "excavator"

pokeullein (포클레인) <Poclain

di-ca - "digital camera"

dika (디카) <digital camera

keomp-yut-eo (컴퓨터) - “computer”
banana (바나나) - "banana"
hot dog - "corn dog"

hatdogeu (핫도그) <hot + dog

hand phone - “mobile phone”

haendeupon (핸드폰) <hand + phone

Japanese Borrowing

apart - "apartment building"

apateu (아파트) <apāto (アパート) <apartment

cider - "lemon-lime drink"

saida (사이다) <saidā (サイダ) <cider

one-room - "studio apartment"

wollum (원룸) <wanrūmumanshon (ワンルームマンション) <one + room + mansion

talent - "televised drama actor"

taelleonteu (탤런트) <tarento (タレント) <talent

fighting - “Go go go!”, “Good luck!”, “You can do it!”

paiting (파이팅) or hwaiting (화이팅) <faito (ファイト) <fight

Conglish Use Issues

Currently, many linguists are talking about "English fever" in Korea. The use of English words in everyday conversation, advertising and entertainment is today considered more fashionable and relevant in Korea than ever. However, this use can often lead to misunderstandings due to problems with pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary. Many Conglish phenomena are based on the so-called direct translation. Adequate translation does not mean the translation of words, but of the concepts behind these words. And the concepts, as you know, may not coincide.

There are also concerns that an emphasis on learning English may impoverish the Korean language, making it less important and valuable for the people of Korea. After all, as you know, Koreans are very proud of their language, which is unique and not like other languages. However, the modern generation is paying more and more attention specifically to the English language, which is due, first of all, to its demand in the Korean and world labor markets.

Links

N. M. Shevchuk “English in the Republic of Korea” (2011) Source: English in the Republic of Korea
Koreans are Now Speaking a New Language Called 'Konglish' (2016) Source: Koreans are Now Speaking a New Language Called 'Konglish'
THE BEAUTY AND PERILS OF KONGLISH, THE KOREAN-ENGLISH HYBRID, Wired magazine (2016) The beauty and perils of konglish, the korean-english hybrid
Naver; Children's Encyclopedia