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Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub (MUKSRH) presents:

 

Monash Beyond Borders Korean Studies Seminar Series 2024

Seminar 4

'Beyond Borrowing: The Complex Trajectories of English and Korean Vocabulary'

Dr Hyejeong Ahn (University of Melbourne)

 

 Room 137, Learning & Teaching Building (LTB), Clayton VIC 3168 & via ZOOM

22nd May, 4pm Melbourne time

Abstract: 

This talk presents the dynamic history of the contact between the Korean language and English. Firstly, the trajectories of English loanwords into Korean via Japanese are explored. This path has led to English loanwords both in the Korean and Japanese languages having similar features. The talk also presents more current examples of English words of Korean origin found in online databases which showcase the complicated and unpredictable trajectories of this new vocabulary of Korean origin, which has resulted in inconsistent spellings and variations in meaning that differ from their local context. The present study concludes with the argument that linguistic authorities do not play a significant role in determining the forms and usage of English words of Korean origin. Instead, Hallyu (the Korean Wave) and its fandom are the protagonists fuelling the rapid growth of these words, which are widely used online.

Bio: 

Dr Hyejeong Ahn is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. She completed her PhD at Monash University. Her teaching career began in South Australia and has extended to South Korea and Singapore. Dr Ahn's research focuses on the translingual nature of English lexicons from the perspective of World Englishes. Her publications include Beyond Borrowing: Lexical Interaction Between Englishes and Asian Languages (Routledge, 2023) and The Emergence of Korean English(Routledge, 2024).

Register above for a ZOOM link.

Please contact Monash University Korean Studies Research Hub Coordinator, Ms Sandy Nguyen for further details: Sandy.Nguyen1@monash.edu