When learning Korean, most available resources focus on the variety of Korean spoken in South Korea. This includes language learning apps, books, and other educational tools. The question arises: why is there so little focus on the North Korean variant of the language, despite the fact that both countries share the same linguistic roots? Let’s explore the reasons behind this.
1. The Political and Geographical Divide
The main reason why North Korean Korean (sometimes referred to as ‘Chosŏnmal’) is less represented in language learning materials is the long-standing political and geographical divide between North and South Korea. The two countries have been separated since the end of the Korean War in 1953, and this division extends to not only their political systems but also to language development and education.
2. The Dominance of South Korean Culture
Over the decades, South Korea has become the global center for Korean culture, from K-pop to film, television, and technology. As a result, the South Korean variant of the language has gained international prominence. This has led to a natural dominance in educational resources, media content, and language tools available worldwide. The global spread of Korean pop culture has contributed significantly to the standardization of South Korean Korean.
3. Limited Accessibility to North Korean Resources
North Korea’s isolation from the international community has limited the availability of language resources in North Korean Korean. Due to restrictions on travel, communication, and the exchange of information, it’s difficult to access materials directly from North Korea. Furthermore, the lack of international interaction further perpetuates the dominance of South Korean resources.
4. Differences in Language Usage
While North and South Korea share the same language, there are notable differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammatical structures. For example, North Korean Korean tends to use different terms for many modern concepts, reflecting the country’s distinct political and economic system. However, the majority of people learning Korean worldwide are more likely to interact with South Korea’s culture, making the South Korean variant more relevant for everyday use, especially for those aiming to live, work, or study in South Korea.
5. The Future of North Korean Language Learning
Despite the current dominance of South Korean Korean, there may be a growing interest in North Korean language learning, especially among researchers, diplomats, or those interested in North Korean history and culture. As the geopolitical situation evolves and the two Koreas potentially move toward reunification, the study of both variants of the Korean language may become more important.
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, the focus on South Korean Korean in language learning materials is a result of historical, political, and cultural factors. While the North Korean variant exists and is important in its own right, the lack of access to resources and the international appeal of South Korean culture have made the South Korean variant the default for most learners.
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