ed Let's find ways to avoid 'Konglish'
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By Lee Chang-sup
In a meeting with National Assembly leaders on Oct. 6, President Park Geun-hye said the National Assembly should pass urgent pending economic bills so that the Korean economy would not lose “golden time.” Although native English speakers may understand that President Park is trying to say “precious time,” “golden time” is an expression they would never use themselves.
“Konglish,” which refers to South Koreans’ unique use of English words, has become quite pervasive in the Korean society. The Japanese have also incorporated English words into their language, although they have changed the meanings of English words much more than Koreans have.
One example of a Konglish word is “fighting” because Koreans’ use of the word does not correspond to anything in the English language. Wikipedia provides many more examples of Konglish words: “booking” for making a reservation, “claxon” for horn, “cunning” for cheating, “talent” for a TV star, “handle” for a steering wheel, “hunting” for searching for a mate, “meeting” for a blind date, “one room” for a studio apartment, “line” for managerial staff, “glamor” for a buxom woman, “pop song” for an English-language song, “reception” for a backstage party and “selca” for a selfie.
The inability or refusal to employ proofreaders who are native English-speakers has led to innumerable notices and signs that amuse and puzzle Westerners. For example, a sign on Ganghwa Island on the west coast used to encourage travelers to visit Bomun-sa Temple, describing it as “a famous playing temple” rather than a “praying temple.” Likewise, Sinchon Rotary in Seoul appears on signboards as “Sinchon Rot.”
On the whole, non-Koreans admire the creative way in which Koreans are adapting the English language. Many foreigners have written books on Konglish. For instance, Daniel Tudor, author of “Korea: The Impossible Country,” says, “An abundance of loan words and English-like words have entered the Korean language because of South Korea’s obsession for English,” citing a few amusing words in the Konglish vocabulary, including “skinship” for touchy-feely people, “Burberry men” for flashers, “well-being” for healthy products and “S-Line” for an attractive woman’s body.
According to Sogang University English professor emeritus Brother Anthony, “While they are not inclined to criticize ‘Konglish,’ there are limits.” He said subtitles to Korean movies and TV dramas intended for export, for example, are often poorly translated. “That is bad but is caused by a lack of funding for good translators.”
Similarly, while University of Maryland University College sociology professor Jon Huer said Konglish is one of the 10 most wonderful things about Korea because he felt it was both inventive and clever, he also criticized Koreans for their improper use of English.
Westerners are not the only ones who criticize Konglish. Even North Korean defectors are surprised to find how the language they share with South Koreans has significantly changed. According to Tudor, “son-gi-cheok,” for example, means a “hand sign” and can be used to make a sound on a door before one enters the room. Today, however, South Koreans simply use the word “knock.”
Koreans can avoid Konglish in several ways. First, when they are unsure of whether a word is an authentic English word, they could check English dictionaries such as the Oxford English Dictionary and the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. When these dictionaries say, “The word you entered is not in the dictionary,” it is possible that the word is a Konglish word. It is important to use American or British English dictionaries, not those produced in Korea, including Naver Dictionary, because those latter dictionaries seldom distinguish between authentic English words and Konglish words. Koreans can also check the huge list of Konglish words at online resources like https://koreanselfstudyisntlame.blogspot.kr/2010/02/ultimate-konglish-list.html.
The media can also play a critical role in helping Koreans avoid the use of Konglish. Before President Park began using the expression “golden time,” local dailies had already been using it to report that the Korean economy is losing “golden time.” Another word that the media improperly uses is “syndrome.” For example, newspapers have reported about “the Kim Yu-na syndrome,” when in fact they mean the public enthusiasm for the 2014 Vancouver Winter Olympics figure skating gold medalist. Foreigners probably think the Kim Yu-na syndrome is a new type of illness. Likewise, TV stations often use the word “panel” when referring to panelists.
Government agencies and companies should consult with professional copy editors before they release English-language announcements and publications. English teachers must also take extra care not to transmit their Konglish to students. Finally, students should not rely on Google Translate, which produces dreadful translations.
Korean emigrants to English-speaking countries acknowledge that Konglish creates misunderstanding. In a way, Konglish is not as bad as its counterparts in China and Japan because many Koreans actually have a good command of the English language. Nevertheless, we should still strive to make Konglish a thing of the past.
While Konglish might seem funny and creative to foreigners, it may also be embarrassing, especially when used by high-profile government officials like President Park and other public figures. Worse, Konglish may have even more detrimental effects such as discouraging tourists from visiting Korea, hampering business deals and deepening the misunderstanding between North and South Koreans and Koreans and Westerners.
Lee Chang-sup is The Korea Times editor-in-chief and vice president. Contact him at editorial@ktimes.co.kr.