Disappearing Language, and Disappearing Culture

   As we saw in the video, English is becoming the world language. Partly, it is a corollary of the Britain and the US being the most powerful nations in the world. However, some part of the globalization of English is due to a planned, intentional effort : standardized English tests, universities requiring the tests, and even the government trying to teach English to the students of the nation. The government of South Korea is trying really hard to make the students learn English. In public schools, students spend more, at least equal, time to learn English than to learn their native language.

   Some might think that there would be no difference even if a language disappears. They might think that English can replace the language. I completely disagree. There is a culture in the language. When a language dies, a huge part of the culture disappears. For a solid evidence, a language of a culture has its own unique words. For example, the tribes in Arctic area has dozens of different words indicating snow or ice. They try to classify different types of snow (dry, melting, half-melted, of fine particles, lumpy, etc) with separate words. It is a significant portion of their culture.

   Still we need a global language, and English is likely to be the best candidate. Therefore, we need to learn English, but what I want to say here is that English cannot be the primary goal over our culture and native language. These days, students of South Korea lack the ability to use their native language then before. For a short example, the lyrics for popular music is getting worse and worse. As a result, we can see that teenagers these days do not have a firm national identity. This is terribly wrong. Teachers, parents from the first place must teach what must be taught.




개똥벌레 Firefly (1987)
(For some reasons -linguistic one or whatever-, Koreans call "firefly" "dog-poop bug")


아무리 우겨봐도 어쩔수 없네
Though I insist, it goes as it should.
저기 개똥 무덤이 내 집인걸
That little grave of poop is my home.
가슴을 내밀어도 친구가 없네
Though I approach them, none come to be my friend.
노래 하던 새들도 멀리 날아가네
Singing birds stop singing and fly far far away.
가지마라 가지마라 가지말아라
Do not go, Do not go, Please stay with me.
나를 위해 한번만 노래를 해주렴
I beg you sing a single song for me.
나나 나나나나 쓰라린 가슴안고
nana- nananana- holding my painful heart,
오늘 밤도 그렇게 울다 잠이든다
I fall asleep this night tearing, as I used to.

-Coarse Translation : l



Shy Boy (2011)


뚜루왑 두밥 두밥 뚜루왑 두밥 두밥 뚜루왑 두밥 두밥 뚜루왑 두밥 두밥
Du-ru Wap Du bop Du bop Du-ru Wap Du bop  Du bop Du-ru Wap Du bop Du bop
Time Time Time To Shine Time Time Time Secret Time
Time Time Time To Shine Oh Oh Oh Secret Time
우쭐대지 마 아 아 넌 넌 장난치지 마 아 아 넌 넌
Don't be arrogant, Ah Ah You You Don't make joke with me, Ah Ah You You
오오오 오오오 더는 못 참겠어 그만
OhOhOh OhOhOh I can't stay any long Stop
제발 있는 척 좀 마 아아 No No 이젠 너 같은 남자 아 아 No No
Please don't pretend anymore Ah Ah No No Man like you - no more Ah Ah No No
오오오 오오오 더는 못 보겠어 그만
OhOhOh OhOhOh I can't see it anymore. Stop.

(WTF. It doesn't even require much translation.)


Motions
1. English must be a mandatory course for elementary school students.
2. English must be the global language.
3. Teaching foreign language to those under 13 is harmful.