Abstract:

In alignment with the theme of this conference, “Language Through the Ages, Across the Regions,” this lecture provides a sociolinguistic overview of the status, use, education, and prospects of the English language on the Korean Peninsula. It traces the development of English from its introduction in the late 19th century to its current roles in both South and North Korea, highlighting shifts in educational practices, societal attitudes in the broader geopolitical context.

English has held a position of prominence as the primary foreign language in Korea since the late 19th century, beginning with the Chosun Dynasty's decision to teach English alongside other foreign languages in 1886. This shift was driven by the urgent need for interpreters and diplomats as well as the desire for modernization and enlightenment. On an individual level, proficiency in English was one of the most effective means of driving upward social mobility. Initially, English education was supported by the royal government and expanded through private institutions established by foreign missionaries and Korean patriots.

However, during the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945), the use and teaching of English were severely restricted. The subsequent American Military Government (1945–1948) revived English education with a formalized curriculum, setting the stage for the language's continued significance. This era also solidified the association of English with the American way of life, a connection that persists today.

Over the following decades after the Korean War (1950-1953), English maintained its primacy as the first foreign language in both Koreas, though its function and social significance diverged. In South Korea, English has become an essential skill for upward social mobility, and proficiency is seen as a cultural asset. With the country's rapid industrialization and globalization, English is increasingly viewed as both a necessary tool (even as a ‘necessary evil’) and a symbol of prestige, leading to phenomena such as “English fever”, or to a controversial issue such as “English Divide” and debates over the excessive commercialization of English education. More recently, the evolving linguistic landscape in South Korea, along with diverse and creative brand-namings and neologisms, reflect a shift in the perception of English from a revered international lingua franca to a more playful, commodified resource.

In contrast, North Korea’s approach to English is utilitarian, focused on its role as a tool for international communication and scientific advancement. Nevertheless, English in the socialist country is also fully exploited to promote the state’s political ideology and to idolize its leaders. Despite the state's strict linguistic policy of promoting Korean and exclusive use of Korean words limiting foreign influences, English education has seen significant improvements, especially since the 2012 Educational Reform. However, English remains primarily accessible to a small elite, with limited exposure to the broader public. Specialists in foreign languages are trained en masse to full proficiency at designated institutes to meet national demands.

The statuses of foreign languages in Korea have mirrored the political and economic power of their speakers, reflecting broader geopolitical dynamics. English was not an exception. Looking ahead, particularly with the potential for Korean unification or the opening of North Korea, English is expected to continue as a “glocal” language (Rajadurai, 2005), meeting diverse communicative needs and contributing to a rich, multilingual sociolinguistic environment in the future.

Bio:

Professor Seohyun Paik (formerly Kyungsook Paik) has been teaching English at Hanyang Women’s University in Seoul since 1993. Her research interests focus on sociolinguistics and foreign language education, with particular emphasis on the structures of communicative events. She was at the helm of various professional organizations in South Korea, including President of the Sociolinguistics Society of Korea and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) Korea.

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The 7th Linguistic Society of the Philippines International Conference (𝐋𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓), which is happening on 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟰-𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 at 𝗣𝗦𝗨 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀, is jointly hosted by the Linguistic Society of the Philippines (LSP) and the Pangasinan State University (together with the Provincial Government of Pangasinan and the Local Government Unit of Lingayen).