English Loan-Words in Korean Language

• Main Authors: Lin, Hsing-Yu, 林杏諭
• Other Authors: Kimberly Heeren
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/54762398207539132101

碩士 === 國立屏東大學 === 英語學系碩士班 === 103 === English is considered to be a global lingua franca. In this respect, people communicate with others in English all around the world. This study aims at examining English loan words in the Korean language, which is also called Konglish or “Korean language style English”. The Korean language has borrowed many words from languages such as English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. In order to fit the loanwords into the Korean phonological system, they have undergone various phonological changes. In addition, some of the loan words contain altered spelling or are combined with the Korean language. Therefore, this study will not only investigate the reasons for borrowing, but also for changing English words to Hangul (Korean language alphabet). Specifically, this study aimed to explore the reasons why Koreans adopt English and Konglish words. It also investigated the situations when they use English and Konglish words. Thereafter, the reasons behind Koreans adopting English words and Konglish words, and when or how Koreans learned English words and Konglish words were investigated. The questionnaire in this study was designed based on the results of the researcher’s pilot studies and it followed the explanatory type of case study research method proposed by Yin (2003). The questions were divided into four parts: corresponding word, situation, reason and how or when they learned the word. The findings revealed that Koreans used a variety of English and Konglish words when they were asked to see pictures of certain items. We could assume that Koreans used these words on a regular basis in their daily lives. Second, Koreans used English words and Konglish words widely in their lives and the words are seen via mass communication media such as, TV programs, movies, and advertisements. Third, most participants reported that they used English words and Konglish words because they had previously learned the words. This may be a direct result of Koreans being influenced by English for about 50 years as proposed by Cha (1996). Lastly, participants reported that they learned English words and Konglish words in schools or as children. Specifically, some participants mentioned that they learned the word in English classes. However, some participants reported that they learned the word via mass communication media.