Jejueco: a Language Or Dialect

Introduction

The study of language boasts a distinctive historical trajectory, with modern linguistics taking its nascent steps in the 18th century. At its inception, the discipline primarily focused on the intricate task of reconstructing Indo-European languages. While the practice of linguistic reconstruction remains relevant in contemporary linguistics, the field has expanded its horizons to encompass deeper inquiries into the fundamental nature of languages and the nuanced distinction between dialects and creoles.

Within the realm of linguistic exploration, the Korean language serves as a captivating subject of study, offering a rich tapestry of dialectical diversity. Korean is marked by the existence of six distinct dialects, including Seoul (Standard Korean), Gyeongsang, Chungcheong, Jeolla, Yeongseo, and Jejueo (hailing from the island of Jeju off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula). Among these dialects, Jejueo has garnered particular attention and sparked debates concerning its classification as a separate language or a regional dialect. Linguists remain divided on this issue, with extensive research conducted in a bid to unravel the linguistic intricacies of Jejueo and discern its rightful place within the spectrum of Korean language variation.

Remarkably, Jejueo has not only been documented but has also enjoyed a substantial degree of scholarly scrutiny, a feat uncommon among endangered languages. Dong-Ho Ko asserts, "As of 2014, about 500 linguistic studies on Jejueo have been published." This scholarly attention is noteworthy given the relatively diminutive stature of Jejueo in comparison to the multitude of dialects and languages worldwide.

Linguistic characteristics of Jejueo

To gain insight into the linguistic landscape of Jejueo and its pivotal characteristics, it is instructive to delve into the first Ph.D. dissertation dedicated to the language. This seminal work underscores the significance that linguists have attributed to understanding the morphology of Jejueo. A defining feature of the language is its employment of nine vowels, a distinction that sets it apart from standard Korean. In particular, Jejueo preserves the "arae-a" vowel system, which has long since faded from the linguistic repertoire of standard Korean. Notably, vowels such as "ㅓ" [ə] bear similarities to their standard Korean counterparts but are pronounced with a reduced pharyngeal opening.

Beyond its phonological distinctions, Jejueo diverges from standard Korean in terms of pragmatics. One salient deviation lies in the realm of speech formality and honorific language. In standard Korean, the suffix "습니다" (seumnida) plays a crucial role in imparting an honorific tone to phrases. For instance, the phrase "반갑습니다" (ban' gapseumnida) translates to "Pleasure to meet you" in English and concludes with the honorific suffix "습니다" (seumnida). This suffix signifies a respectful and polite mode of speech. In contrast, the equivalent phrase in Jejueo, "반갑수다" (ban'gapsuda), lacks the "습니다" suffix, resulting in a more informal and colloquial expression akin to "howdy" in English.

The debate surrounding Jejueo's classification

Standard Korean is renowned for its intricate system of honorific forms in speech, which stratify language based on social hierarchies and relationships. Consequently, addressing individuals of differing social standing or age entails distinct linguistic nuances. It is within this intricate web of formality and hierarchy that we must situate the ongoing debate regarding Jejueo's status as either a dialect or a language. A pivotal observation emerges from the juxtaposition of Jejueo and standard Korean: Jejueo notably lacks formal morphemes, suggesting a proclivity for casual communication. This observation forms a key argument advanced by linguists who advocate for Jejueo's classification as a dialect, positing that it appears "inferior" to the more elaborate and stratified linguistic structure of standard Korean.

However, proponents of Jejueo's status as a distinct language find ammunition in the very same linguistic contrast. The absence of honorific speech patterns in Jejueo provides compelling evidence that sets it apart from standard Korean. While dialects typically stem from a common linguistic root and share foundational features with the parent language, Jejueo's distinct vowel system and the absence of honorific speech markers suggest a closer kinship with the original Korean language than with its standardized counterpart.

In essence, the debate surrounding Jejueo's classification as a dialect or a language is far from settled. The intricacies of Jejueo's linguistic landscape, from its unique vowel system to its pragmatic deviations, underscore the need for nuanced analysis and a thorough exploration of the factors that inform the classification of languages and dialects within the complex tapestry of linguistic diversity. Consequently, while some may contend that Jejueo appears to bear the hallmarks of a dialect, others argue that its distinctive features align it more closely with a distinct language entity, exemplifying the perpetual interplay between linguistic continuity and variation in the study of language.

The level of mutual comprehensibility

The determination of whether a linguistic entity constitutes a distinct language or a mere dialect hinges on various factors, including the level of mutual comprehensibility among speakers of related forms of speech. An enlightening study conducted by the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa sought to shed light on this intricate issue by investigating comprehension levels across four closely related Korean "dialects": Jejueo Native Speakers, Seoul (Standard Korean), South Jeollado, and South Gyeongsangdo. These specific dialects were chosen strategically, with Jejueo serving as the control, the Jejueo dialect as the independent variable, and the other three dialects as the dependent variables. The overarching objective of the experiment was to ascertain whether mainland Koreans, unexposed to Jejueo, could comprehend this linguistic variant.

This meticulously designed study encompassed a sample of 10 individuals per dialect, resulting in a total participant pool of 40. Each participant underwent two phases of testing: first, they listened to the recorded material without interruption, and then they repeated the study as the recordings were replayed in segmented intervals, varying from one to three clauses. The crux of the analysis centered on evaluating the accuracy of participants' responses to comprehension questions. As anticipated, Jejueo Native Speakers exhibited the highest level of comprehension, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 89.21%. In contrast, Seoul (Standard Korean) speakers displayed a significantly lower comprehension rate at 12.03%, followed by South Jeollado at 6.00% and South Gyeongsangdo at 5.26%. Comparing these comprehensibility scores to those derived from studies on language comprehension in diverse linguistic pairs, such as Polish and Russian or Spanish and French, the findings fall within the expected range established by prior research.

The noteworthy variance in comprehension rates not only underscores the lack of systematic mutual comprehensibility between Jejueo and the other Korean dialects but also bolsters the compelling argument that Jejueo merits classification as a distinct language rather than a regional dialect.

The concept of endangerment

Another pivotal aspect to consider in the classification of languages is the concept of endangerment. An endangered language faces the grim prospect of becoming extinct in the future due to a range of factors that undermine its vitality. In East Asian societies like Korea, collectivism holds a prominent place, fostering societal norms that emphasize unity and conformity. This cultural backdrop provides crucial context for understanding the endangered status of Jejueo. Comparable to the fate of Hawaiian Pidgin, Jejueo has grappled with the imposition of a strong societal stigma, particularly in public spaces and educational institutions over the past several decades. The question arises: Why invest time and effort in learning a language perceived as inferior by society? This prevailing sentiment has fueled a reluctance to learn Jejueo, with individuals opting for the more socially acceptable choice of acquiring proficiency in Standard Korean.

To offer a fair perspective, it is essential to recognize that the perception of Jejueo as inferior stems from the perspective of those within the broader Korean society. From their standpoint, the preference for Standard Korean, with its well-established honorific speech patterns, is driven by a desire for linguistic unity. In this context, Jejueo is deemed "inferior" due to its perceived lack of sophistication, specifically in the absence of an honorific speech system. Furthermore, this stigmatization of Jejueo as an "inferior" language has been perpetuated by societal pressures, which have been particularly influential among younger generations. The strong emphasis on collectivism in East Asian cultures indirectly exacerbates this stigma, as a growing number of individuals opt to embrace Standard Korean to conform to societal norms, further marginalizing the "inferior" language.

Efforts to revitalize the Jejueo language

Despite these formidable challenges that have hampered Jejueo's vitality, efforts to revitalize the language have been active for some time. The Jeju Ministry of Education spearheaded "The General Plan for Jejueo Education" (GPJE), with the primary aim of integrating Jejueo-based education into public schools. The program conducted pilot initiatives in two public schools, where students were exposed to the Jejueo language. The outcomes of these initiatives were encouraging, with students demonstrating improved attitudes toward Jejueo and enhanced proficiency in the language. For instance, Udo Middle School reported that 55% of its students expanded their Jejueo vocabulary, while Gwangryeong Elementary School noted that 87.3% of students improved their vocabulary test scores after participating in the program. However, as of 2018, Jejueo is not included as a specific subject in the curriculum but is offered as an extracurricular activity.

While these statistics pertain to a relatively small population, they provide valuable evidence that the ongoing efforts to revive Jejueo are not in vain. It is evident that more research is required to definitively establish Jejueo as a distinct language, and the pursuit of this research is contingent upon motivation and societal priorities. Presently, the declaration and revitalization of Jejueo do not occupy a central place on the Republic of Korea's agenda. Consequently, we must acknowledge that Jejueo's path towards linguistic independence remains a work in progress, marked by a delicate interplay of linguistic continuity and variation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the classification of Jejueo as a distinct language or a regional dialect remains a complex and ongoing debate within the realm of linguistics. While various factors, including linguistic distinctiveness and comprehension levels, lean toward categorizing Jejueo as a separate language, societal pressures and cultural dynamics have contributed to its endangered status. Efforts to revitalize Jejueo offer hope for its preservation and resurgence as a vital linguistic heritage. As research continues and societal priorities evolve, the journey of Jejueo towards linguistic independence continues to unfold, exemplifying the intricate interplay between continuity and variation in the realm of language.