Konglish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Konglish (Korean: 콩글리시) is the use of English words (or words derived from English words) in a Korean context. The words, having initially been taken from English language, are either actual English words in Korean context, or are made from a combination of Korean and English words. It is considered a sublanguage (linguistics). [1]
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[edit] Origins of Konglish
Much Konglish appeared following the Korean War when US troops mixed with Korean troops and English vocabulary, real and slang, permeated Korean.
Words such as chan-seu (찬스: "chance," "opportunity") and hom-reon (홈런: "home run") are adoptions of English words that are fairly faithful to their original meanings. In most cases, however, they are not exact counterparts to the original English words. For example, chan-seu is not used in the sense of "chance" as in "luck", but has an expanded meaning that covers "bargain sales" (also a Konglish expression) and other promotions.
Some words derive from regional or unusual varieties of English. For example, hat-ke-i-keu (핫케이크; "hotcake") is the Korean word for the dish more familiar as "pancake". A haen-deu-pon (핸드폰; "handphone") is more familiar as a "cellphone" or a "mobile phone" to most speakers of English. "Hotcake" is more popular in some regional varieties of English, and indeed is used in the popular expression "to sell like hotcakes". "Handphone" is used, notably, in Singaporean English.
Some words derive from English words but have meanings that are different from their English meanings. Examples include keo-ning (커닝; "cunning", from Japanese カンニング), which means to cheat on an exam; oh-ba-i-teu (오바이트; pronounced similarly to "oh bite" but derived from "overeat"), which means to vomit; and pa-i-ting (파이팅; "fighting"), a Korean cheer that can roughly be translated as "Victory!" but can also be used as a word of encouragement (a la "Courage!").
In the 20th Century, a large class of Konglish words came into Korean usage by way of Japanese. These include words that originate from English and other languages, were modified or transformed in meaning from the original language as they were adopted into Japanese, and then were adopted into Korean usage. Because of this, many of these words were made to conform to Japanese phonological features, and therefore can be unrecognisable.
- wa-i-sya-sseu (와이샤쓰; "shirt; dress shirt", from Eng. "white shirt"; J. ワイシャツ waishatsu) in standard usage, "wa-i-syeo-cheu"—a form closer to the English pronunciation—is preferred
- ppa-kku (빠꾸; "back") not standard usage
As longer English words were often abridged when they were adopted into Japanese, many words of English origin show up in Korean as follows:
- a-pa-teu (아파트; "apartment"; J. アパート apāto). This word is used to mean not only individual suites, but "apartment building" or "apartment complex".
- mi-sing (미싱; "sewing machine"; J. ミシン mishin) in standard usage, 재봉틀 "jae-bong-teul", a Sino-Korean word, is preferred
- te-re-bi (테레비; "television"; J. テレビ terebi) in standard usage, "tel-le-bi-jeon" is also used
Some words came from other European languages, but are generally classified as Konglish as well.
- a-reu-ba-i-teu (아르바이트; "part-time job", from German Arbeit, work; J. アルバイト arubaito, with same meaning as Korean)
- ho-peu (호프; "bar; pub", from German Hof, courtyard)
- brau (브라우; a term used for some beer drinking establishments, from German Bräu, brew)
The non-standard expression o-ke-ba-ri (rough synonym for "OK", "That's good") most probably came from a combination of English "OK" and Japanese "okimari (おきまり; to decide)". There is also an opinion that it came from the English phrase "Okay, buddy."
Konglish is commonly mistaken as the term for Korean Romanization.
Similar words exist for the mixture of English and other languages, notably Spanglish.
[edit] Elements of Konglish
In South Korea, the term Konglish is used to refer a variety of English spoken with a Korean accent. Its pronunciation is closest to American English, influenced by American TV shows and movies, with some British English, as well as Canadian English elements. This makes it the second Asian variety of English based on American English pronunciation after Philippine English. But there are still some differences:
- Words ending with consonants, except b, d, g, and s, are appended with a schwa.
- Final consonant clusters add a schwa at the end, while at the beginning of the word, a schwa is inserted between the consonants.
- Voiced "th" (ð) like them is pronounced "d" and voiceless "th" (θ) like thrill is pronounced "s".
- l and r are allophones in Korean. Final and initial r are sometimes pronounced as l. Speech is sometimes non-rhotic.
- Unaccented vowels a, i, o, and u in final syllables before consonants, except, l and r, are pronounced in full vowels.
- Fs are pronounced p or h, since there is no widely used f sound in Korean. There is a special pronunciation "ㆅ."
- Vs are pronounced b, since there is no v sound in Korean.
- Zs are pronounced j, since there is no z sound in Korean.
- Rs are pronounced as alveolar flaps [ɾ].
Konglish doesn't always need to be english words into korean words, it is often used by combining korean and english words together.
[edit] Korean Immigrant "Konglish"
Another aspect of Konglish is the inclusion of English words in Korean sentences, or the use of Korean words in English sentences. This phenomenon can be commonly seen in the culture of second generation Korean-Americans. Here, the supplanted words are often loan words used to fill the gap of a limited Korean or English vocabulary. These borrowings may be seen as being used to compensate for a deficiency (or perceived deficiency) in either English or Korean.
This behavior, referred to as code-switching by linguists, may be an expression of the speaker’s desire to be included in either the English or Korean speaking community even though this speaker lacks complete fluency in the respective language. In this case the use of a mixed Korean Immigrant Konglish can be seen as an attempt to gain entry into the social group even though there may be something of a lack of language ability.
Another possible rationale for the use of English words in Korean sentences or Korean words in English sentences may simply be that these linguistic borrowings help the speaker to better convey their meaning than if only one language were used. Because of cultural differences between American and Korean society, there may be no single corresponding word to concisely express an idea in the other language. It may, for example, be simpler to merely say something such as “I helped my father because of hyo(효)” than to say “I helped my father out because of a deep sense of traditional Confucian filial piety”. This is especially true when both the speaker and listener are familiar with the borrowed term.
Finally, this form of Korean Immigrant Konglish may be used between fellow Korean Immigrants who wish to express their unique identity that is neither wholly of the adoptive country nor wholly Korean, but a complex fusion of both. This should not to be thought, however, that these speakers are trilingual speaking Korean, English, and this form of Konglish with equal fluency. Generally people who speak Konglish lack the ability to speak one of either of the languages of English or Korean fluently. It is, however, correct to assess that by speaking some from of Konglish (speaking neither English or Korean), these speakers are signaling their membership in this special Korean Immigrant subculture. In so doing, speakers of this type of Konglish act to exclude both Korean speakers who lack an understanding of English, and English speakers lacking the ability to comprehend Korean. In this way, Korean Immigrant Konglish has become the unique language of this cross cultural second and third generation immigrant group.
[edit] Misuse of English
It is also worthy of note that the term "Konglish" has taken on a second meaning among the English-speaking ex-patriate population of South Korea. It is used commonly to refer to misuse of English, typically on signs, menus, t-shirts and stationery, often with comical results.
[edit] List of Konglish Words Without English Equivalents
The following is a list of words used in Korea that have their origins in English but lack precise English equivalents largely due to the fact that they describe (new) Korean social phenomena:
- 화이팅 (fighting)-this oft-cited Konglish word has no English equivalent. It is an interjection used to express a healthy "fighting" spirit or tenacity of will. Its closest English equivalents might be: "Right on!," "Go for it!," "Get it done!" ("Get 'er done!"), "Don't give up!", "You can do it!"
- 셔터맨 (shutter man) -a derogatory term for a man who is financially dependent on his wife. The term stems from the phenomenon of the husband whose wife runs a store while, seemingly, his only "job" is to drop off his wife, open the shutters, pick her up at the end of the day and close the shutters.
- 부킹 (booking)-the process whereby a group of Korean friends of one sex is introduced to a group of Korean friends of the opposite sex. This activity only occurs in night clubs and is sanctioned and run by the night club. Often a fee is required for booking. To many, the service is often perceived as illicit due to sexual connotations, but by many others deemed necessary because a) Koreans are often too shy to approach strangers of their own volition; b) Korea lacks "Western-style" bars and pubs where people routinely mingle with strangers. Korean-style drinking establishments are populated by booths and tables that cater to couples or groups of friends who, generally, do not mingle with strangers.
- 엠티 - MT (abbr. membership training) -a weekend retreat for students of the same academic department to promote camaraderie and good will. Although an ostensible abbreviation for "membership training," this faux corporate jargon can be said to have more of an ironic tone, as it lends a sophisticated air to what constitutes nothing more than drinking and talking until late in the morning.
[edit] See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- Contemporary culture of South Korea
- Honglish or Honkish (Hong Kong: based on Cantonese)
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Academic paper on Konglish: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/5067/intro.htm
