It happens almost everyday during baseball season. This drums roll. The fans pound their feet. And then someone leads the cheer: “Pa-i-ting!” But what is ‘pa-i-ting? Is it a word? Of course it is, one of hundreds, maybe thousands, that make up a form of communication called Konglish, phenomenon that is ubiquitous in korea, and one that is not going away. Many think that, using Konglish is a terrible way to make yourself understood. But I would like to offer the argument that Konglish, used appropriately, is an important addition to Korean culture.
Tracing the rootsorigins of Konglish is not difficult. During the Korean. War, when Korean and foreign soldiers fought side by-side, the Koreans pick up American expression and incorporated them into their language in original and creative ways. Konglish has since been enriched by the incorporation of other words whose origins, include German, Japanese and English.
Konglish has been designated by linguists as a sublanguage, a form of communication that borrows form various sources to create news expressions that are understood by those who use them. Other examples of sublanguages are Spanglish, Japlish (or Japanglish), Chinglish and Singlish(Singapore English). Scholars in Singapore have actually compiled an English-Singlish dictionary containing thousands of entries.
So where does all this leave us? When is it appropriate to use Konglish? The answers is, of course, only when you are speaking Korean. It’s probably not a good idea to use Konglish when speaking English to a native English speaker. You will only confuse that person, and make yourself the target of ridicule. That said, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to teach Konglish Expressions to your foreign friends here in Korea.. For example, I, an American, need to know what chan-seu in Konglish means “sale” or “sales promotion” in standard American English, “Hop-eu” (from German) in Konglish means “bar” or “pub” in English. “Consent” is power outlet in the US, power point in the UK. “MT” is “student retreat” or “office retreat”. “Golden pants?“ Wa-i-sya-sseu? 셔터맨? Go to work. You will have hours of fun and you’ll learn something.
Konglish is valid. Konglish is important. Konglish makes the world a better place because is uses the gift of language in fun, funny, interesting and exciting new ways. Where is my Konglish Dictionary? Write it and make yourself a little money.
So, Konglish: Pa-i-ting! Or in American English, Konglish? Go for it!
Pa-i-ting : 파이팅 / Chan-seu : 찬스
Hop-eu : 호프 / Golden pants : 골덴바지
Wa-i-sya-sseu: 와이셔츠