Table of contentsIntroductionLinguistic characteristics of JejueoThe debate over the classification of JejueoThe level of mutual comprehensibilityThe concept of endangermentEfforts to revitalize the Jejueo languageConclusionIntroductionThe study of the language has a distinctive historical trajectory, with modern linguistics taking its first steps in the 18th century. In its early days, the discipline focused primarily on the complex task of reconstructing Indo-European languages. Although the practice of linguistic reconstruction remains relevant in contemporary linguistics, the field has broadened its horizons to encompass deeper investigations into the fundamental nature of languages ​​and the nuanced distinction between dialects and creoles. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original EssayIn the realm of linguistic exploration, the Korean language makes for 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 (originating on the island of Jeju off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula). Among these dialects, Jejueo has received particular attention and sparked debates regarding its classification as a distinct language or regional dialect. Linguists remain divided on this issue, with extensive research conducted in an effort to unravel the linguistic intricacies of Jejueo and discern its rightful place within the spectrum of Korean linguistic variation. Remarkably, Jejueo has not only been documented but also benefited from a substantial degree of scrutiny by researchers, a rare feat among endangered languages. Dong-Ho Ko says: “In 2014, around 500 linguistic studies on Jejueo were published. » This scholarly attention is remarkable given the relatively small stature of Jejueo compared to the multitude of dialects and languages ​​in the world. Linguistic Characteristics of Jejueo To gain insight into the linguistic landscape of Jejueo and its essential features, it is instructive to delve into the first Ph.D. D. dissertation devoted to language. This seminal work highlights the importance that linguists have attributed to understanding Jejueo morphology. A defining characteristic of the language is the use 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 disappeared from the linguistic repertoire of Standard Korean. Notably, vowels such as “ㅓ” [ə] show similarities to their standard Korean counterparts but are pronounced with reduced pharyngeal opening. Beyond its phonological distinctions, Jejueo departs from standard Korean in terms of pragmatics. An important deviation lies in the area of ​​formality of speech and honorific language. In Standard Korean, the suffix “습니다” (seumnida) plays a crucial role in giving an honorific tone to sentences. For example, the phrase “반갑습니다” (ban' gapseumnida) translates to “Pleasure to meet you” in English and ends with the honorific suffix “습니다” (seumnida). This suffix signifies a respectful and polite mode of speech. In contrast, the equivalent expression in Jejueo, "반갑수다" (ban'gapsuda), does not have the suffix "습니다", resulting in a more informal and colloquial expression similar to "howdy" in English. The debate surrounding the classification of Jejueo. Standard Korean is noted for its complex system of honorific forms in speech, which stratifies language intofunction of hierarchies and social relationships. Therefore, addressing individuals of different social status or age involves distinct linguistic nuances. It is within this complex web of formalities and hierarchy that we must situate the ongoing debate regarding the status of Jejueo as a dialect or language. A key observation emerges from the juxtaposition of Jejueo and Standard Korean: Jejueo notably lacks formal morphemes, suggesting a propensity for informal communication. This observation constitutes a key argument made by linguists who argue for classifying Jejueo as a dialect, claiming 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 same linguistic contrast. The absence of honorific speech patterns in Jejueo provides compelling evidence that distinguishes it from standard Korean. While dialects generally arise from a common linguistic root and share fundamental characteristics with the parent language, Jejueo's distinct vocal system and lack of honorific markers suggest a closer kinship with the original Korean language than with its counterpart standardized. The classification of Jejueo as a dialect or language is far from established. The intricacies of Jejueo's linguistic landscape, from its unique vowel system to its pragmatic deviations, highlight the need for nuanced analysis and in-depth exploration of the factors that inform the classification of languages ​​and dialects within the complex tapestry of linguistic diversity. Therefore, while some may argue that Jejueo appears to bear the characteristics of a dialect, others argue that its distinctive features more closely align it with a distinct linguistic entity, illustrating the perpetual interplay between linguistic continuity and variation in language study. of mutual understandabilityThe determination of whether a linguistic entity constitutes a distinct language or a simple dialect depends on a variety of factors, including the level of mutual understandability between speakers of related forms of speech. An illuminating study conducted by the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa sought to shed light on this complex issue by investigating the comprehension levels of four closely related Korean "dialects": native speakers of Jejueo, Seoul (Standard Korean), South Korean. Jeollado and South Gyeongsangdo. These specific dialects were chosen strategically, with Jejueo serving as the control, Jejueo dialect as the independent variable, and the other three dialects as dependent variables. The overarching goal of the experiment was to determine whether mainland Koreans, not exposed to Jejueo, could understand this linguistic variant. This meticulously designed study included a sample of 10 individuals per dialect, resulting in a total pool of 40 participants. Each participant underwent two phases. testing: First, they listened to the recorded material without interruption, then they repeated the study as the recordings were replayed at segmented intervals, varying from one to three clauses. The bulk of the analysis focused on assessing the accuracy of participants' responses to the comprehension questions. As expected, Jejueo native speakers exhibited the highest level of comprehension, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 89.21%. In contrast, speakers from Seoul (Standard Korean) showed a significantly lower comprehension rate at 12.03%, followed by South Jeollado at 6.00% and South Gyeongsangdo at 5.26%. InComparing these intelligibility scores to those from studies of language comprehension in various language pairs, such as Polish and Russian or Spanish and French, the results are within the expected range established by previous research . of systematic mutual understanding between Jejueo and other Korean dialects, but also strengthens the compelling argument that Jejueo deserves to be classified as a distinct language rather than a regional dialect. The concept of endangerment Another essential aspect to consider in language classification is the concept of endangerment. An endangered language faces the grim prospect of disappearing in the future due to a range of factors that are undermining its vitality. In East Asian societies like Korea, collectivism looms large, fostering societal norms that emphasize unity and conformity. This cultural context provides crucial context for understanding Jejueo's threatened status. Comparable to the plight of Hawaiian pidgin, Jejueo has struggled with the imposition of heavy societal stigma, particularly in public spaces and educational institutions, over the past few 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 skills in standard Korean. To provide a fair perspective, it is essential to recognize that the perception of Jejueo as inferior stems from the perspective of those in broader Korean society. In their view, 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, particularly the absence of an honorific speech system. Additionally, this stigmatization of Jejueo as an “inferior” language has been perpetuated by societal pressures, particularly influential among younger generations. The emphasis on collectivism in East Asian cultures indirectly exacerbates this stigma, as increasing numbers of individuals choose to adopt Standard Korean to conform to societal norms, thereby further marginalizing the "inferior" language. ". Efforts to Revitalize the Jejueo Language Despite these formidable challenges that have hampered the vitality of Jejueo, efforts to revitalize the language have been active for some time. The Jeju Department of Education launched the "General Plan for Jejueo Education" (GPJE), whose main goal is to integrate Jejueo-based education into public schools. The program conducted pilot initiatives in two public schools, where students were exposed to the Jejueo language. The results of these initiatives have been encouraging, with students demonstrating a better attitude towards Jejueo and better command of the language. For example, Udo Middle School reported that 55 percent of its students expanded their Jejueo vocabulary, while Gwangryeong Elementary School noted that 87.3 percent of students improved their vocabulary test scores. after participating in the program. However, since 2018, Jejueo is not included as a specific subject in the school curriculum but is offered as an extracurricular activity. Although these statistics relate to a relatively small population, they provide valuable evidence that ongoing efforts to revive Jejueo are not in vain. . It is clear that further research is needed, 13, 32-52.