Page 29 - ELITE PLUS MAGAZINE VOL13

In Pursuit of LanguageA Korean academic and translator speaks to Elite+ about linguistics and her love of ThaiLanguage is not justa tool of communication but a container filled with ideas, culture and the way of life of the users. It represents the identity of each individualLanguages, as with many forms of culture and tradition, become contaminated by foreign influences and generational changes. Purists get frustrated when receiving messages with grammatical errors or slang influenced by foreign cultures. In Thailand, campaigns to raise awareness about Thai losing its “purity” are often launched on National Mother Language Day. While some have been trying hard to preserve traditional patterns of communication, a book by a Korean essayist, Infected Korean Language (Pa-sa-tid-chua in Thai), argues that as the world moves forward, it is natural for languages to evolve.The author and linguist, (or Koh Jongsok), argues that languages have been “infected” throughout human history. His native Korean has been influenced by Chinese since the historical period. A language cannot remain pure and original as long as communication is global or integrated into international culture. His ideas have been influential among linguists since 1999, when this title was first published.This year, the book was officially introduced to Thai readers by Kyung Eun Park and her collaborating translator Wirat Siriwatananawin. The fact that a major part of this well crafted work was passed along into Thai by a Korean professor might surprise you.Elite+ sat down with Professor Park on a Sunday morning to discuss her passion for academics and languages. With her linguistic and cultural proficiency, she could easily be mistaken for a charming Thai.“Language is not just a tool of communication but a container filled with ideas, culture and the way of life of the users,” Prof Park said. “It therefore represents the identity of each individual.”Falling passionately into studying languages, she began with English and Japanese in school and then chose a more unique language to help broaden future job opportunities.“I’ve loved language since I was in high school. I wanted to study a language that was not popular for learners at the time. My teacher recommended an ASEAN language because the relationship between Korea and these countries would get closer in the future. I tried and fell for Thai.“At first it was curiosity that aroused my interest in learning Thai. I wanted to know how this language was different from Korean. But after a while, my inspiration became the Thai people. I got to know Thai friendsElite+ 27