What is Konglish

The two Koreas took divergent paths when they were split in 1945. The South has been open to the outside world, its products and influences, while the North has been hermetically sealed off from the rest of the world. This is all too apparent in how language has evolved in the two countries. Though the North and South shared the same language (Hangul), the South Korean strand of Hangul has taken many words, phrases and ideas from the West since the split.

When North Korean refugees land in South Korea they find themselves in a dizzying array of new. They must find their way in what seems to many like taking a time machine into the future. One thing that makes this transition even more jarring is language. Though the majority of the words, grammar and syntax are still shared between the two countries, South Korea has adopted many English words through the influx of American culture. This hybrid language is what has been dubbed “Konglish.” Not entirely Korean nor English, this hybrid language is more cultural than academic and therefore, there isn’t an easy way to learn it. Crossing Borders started Konglish classes to help North Koreans learn this confusing new language. These classes have already proven to be more than just an education but a starting point for this nascent community.

There are hundreds if not thousands of Konglish words sprinkled in everyday Korean dialogue. For example, the word “rinse” is 린스, which is pronounced “rin-sue” in South Korea and the word for “apartment” is 아파트 and is pronounced “ah-pah-teu.” Though there are Korean words for rinse and bus, South Koreans prefer to use the English word.
Even more confusing are some Konglish words that are derivations of English words or phrases. Take for example the word “오바이트,” pronounced “oh-ba-ee-tue.” This word means to vomit and is a derivative of the English word “overeat”. Also, the word “핫도그” pronounced “hot-doe-geu,” which doesn’t mean “hotdog” but rather corn dog. This list goes on and on.

Konglish Classes

While there are language programs that help young, ambitious North Koreans learn English in order to further their future prospects, there are very few that help North Koreans assimilate culturally, and in this case, with Konglish. Many of the refugees that Crossing Borders has helped through Elim House and in China are not young. The majority are mothers in their 40s and 50s who are trying to scratch out a living and raise their children. This is an underserved population in South Korea and many feel too busy to enjoy any kind of community. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Reunification Survey of North Korean refugees in 2019, 75 percent of North Korean refugees said they do not participate in “any community activities.”

In the three pilot classes that we hosted this fall, we taught 12 refugees and gave them vital language skills that will hopefully serve them well in acclimating in South Korea. But what is more, this has given Crossing Borders the opportunity to help foster a community among the refugees who have participated in our classes. 

Community Among Classmates

At dinner after one of our classes this fall, a North Korean refugee told our executive director Dan Chung and others at their table that she was having trouble sleeping since she came to South Korea in 2019. When asked for more details, she opened up about the times she had to hide from the police in China. She described one incident in which the police came into her apartment but she escaped through a window in the back. She said that whenever she heard sirens or even a loud car at night, her heart rate spiked and a grave panic overtook her. She said she often woke up screaming and she had to send one of her children away to a boarding school because her nightly outbursts were so disruptive.

Another refugee at their table was deeply empathetic and encouraged this refugee to get mental health help. We explained to her the effects of trauma and how it’s important to seek help.

In Crossing Borders’ value statement we clearly lay out our goals. It states “Crossing Borders offers North Korean refugees and their children opportunities to thrive by providing physical care, emotional healing and spiritual guidance in a safe community.” Through just a few classes, this “safe community” is already forming and we couldn’t be more excited.

What started out as a fun idea to help meet the needs of refugees trying to assimilate, we feel like God has shown us a great opportunity to foster community. Please pray for us as we explore more classes tailored to North Korean refugees in need.