What is Konglish? Konglish & English-Korean loanwords

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores the phenomenon of 'Conglish,' a blend of Korean and English, often marked by mispronunciations, incorrect word choices, and altered meanings. Highlighting how Korean pronunciation differs from English, the speaker shares humorous examples from everyday life, such as confusing signs and awkward slogans. The video also delves into the evolving use of English by younger Koreans, influenced by globalization, pop culture, and K-pop. The speaker stresses the importance of intelligibility over accent, advocating for the respect of English-Korean loanwords as a natural linguistic adaptation rather than something negative.

Takeaways

• 😀 Conglish refers to both mispronounced English and English words used in Korean with altered meanings.
• 😀 The term 'Conglish' is often used to describe English spoken by Koreans with errors, including vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
• 😀 A common mispronunciation in Conglish is the confusion between the sounds 'P' and 'F' due to differences in the Korean and English sound systems.
• 😀 The education system in Korea historically focused on grammar, reading, and vocabulary, neglecting speaking and pronunciation skills.
• 😀 Modern younger generations of Koreans have better English pronunciation, thanks in part to K-pop artists who speak perfect English, like BTS and Psy.
• 😀 English learning in Korea is largely focused on exam preparation, leaving little room for real communication practice or speaking skills.
• 😀 'Conglish' can also describe English words used in Korean with altered meanings, such as 'service' referring to complimentary items in Korea.
• 😀 Some English words in Korean undergo morphological or phonological changes to fit Korean structure, such as 'selfie' becoming 'selc'.
• 😀 English loanwords in Korean are often adapted to Korean phonology, like 'ice cream' becoming '아이스크림'.
• 😀 Despite the adoption of English words, there's often confusion due to differences in meaning or interpretation between English and Korean.
• 😀 The phenomenon of English words being adapted and altered in other languages, like French and Spanish, is not unique to Korean, making it a normal part of linguistic evolution.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the transcript?

The transcript discusses the concept of 'Konglish,' which refers to English as spoken by Koreans, including both incorrect or unclear English and English words borrowed into Korean with altered meanings.

How did the speaker first encounter the issue of 'Konglish'?

The speaker recalls an experience with a Korean medical intern who asked if he had 'pullness,' a mispronunciation of 'fullness,' when the intern actually meant 'congestion' or 'stuffiness.'

Why do some Koreans mispronounce certain English sounds like 'F' as 'P'?

The Korean language does not have the 'F' sound, so older generations often substitute it with a 'P' sound, leading to pronunciation errors such as 'pullness' instead of 'fullness.'

How has English education in Korea contributed to 'Konglish'?

English education in Korea has traditionally focused on grammar, vocabulary, and reading rather than speaking and pronunciation, causing many Koreans to struggle with oral communication and pronunciation accuracy.

What are some examples of 'Konglish' errors found on Korean signs or menus?

Examples include signs that say 'close' instead of 'closed,' 'crap pasta' instead of 'crab pasta,' 'man toilet' instead of 'men’s room,' and awkward slogans like 'I Seoul You.'

Why do many Koreans feel insecure about speaking English?

Due to a lack of emphasis on spoken English in education and a culture of perfectionism, many Koreans fear making mistakes and feel ashamed of their English abilities, even when they are understandable.

What is the speaker’s opinion about having a Korean accent when speaking English?

The speaker emphasizes that having an accent is normal and not a problem as long as speech is intelligible. Most people worldwide speak English as a second language with an accent.

How does the speaker differentiate between 'bad English' and Korean loanwords from English?

The speaker explains that 'bad English' refers to ungrammatical or unclear spoken English, while English loanwords in Korean with altered meanings are a natural linguistic phenomenon and should not be labeled 'Konglish.'

What are some examples of English words borrowed into Korean with new meanings?

Examples include 'fighting' (a cheer of encouragement), 'service' (free or complimentary items), 'cider' (lemon-lime soda), 'aircon' (air conditioner), and 'selca' (selfie).

Why does the speaker argue that English loanwords in Korean should be respected?

The speaker believes that such adaptations are a normal part of language evolution and show creativity in how Koreans modify and integrate English words to fit their culture and linguistic needs.

What parallels does the speaker draw between Korean borrowing from English and English borrowing from other languages?

The speaker notes that English has borrowed and altered words from French, Spanish, Italian, and German, such as 'chef,' 'entree,' 'latte,' and 'kaput,' demonstrating that language borrowing and semantic change are universal phenomena.

What reasons contribute to the ongoing use of English in Korean branding and daily life?

English is viewed as modern and prestigious in Korea due to globalization and American cultural influence, leading businesses and marketers to use English words to sound trendy and international.

How does the speaker describe the future of English use in Korea?

The speaker is optimistic, noting improvements in younger generations’ English proficiency due to better education and exposure to English through media and K-pop culture, though challenges in communication-focused learning remain.

What linguistic features occur when English words are adapted into Korean?

English loanwords are phonetically and morphologically adapted to fit Korean sound and grammar systems, often with vowel insertions, consonant changes, and semantic shifts.

What is the speaker’s concluding message about 'Konglish' and language learning?

The speaker encourages learners to value communication and creativity over perfection, to embrace their accents, and to recognize that linguistic borrowing is a natural and enriching part of global language interaction.