Korean Dialects - The Standard Language

The Standard Language

  • In South Korea, Standard Korean (표준어/標準語) is defined by the National Institute of the Korean Language as "the modern speech of Seoul widely used by the well-cultivated" (교양있는 사람들이 두루 쓰는 현대 서울말). In practice, it tends not to include features that are found exclusively in Seoul.
  • In North Korea, the accepted official standard is the Munhwaŏ dialect of Seoul, not the P'yŏng'an dialect---contrary to popular belief. Though language in the two Koreas have diverged to some extent, the two standards are still broadly intelligible. One notable feature within the divergence is the North's lack of anglicisms due to isolation and anti-American sentiment----pure/invented Korean words are used in replacement.

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