IndexIntroductionLinguistic Characteristics of JejueoThe Debate Over Jejueo ClassificationThe Level of Mutual ComprehensibilityThe Concept of DangerEfforts to Revitalize the Jejueo LanguageConclusionIntroductionThe study of the language boasts a distinctive historical trajectory, with modern linguistics moving its nascent steps in the 18th century. At its inception, the discipline focused primarily on the complex task of reconstructing the Indo-European languages. Although the practice of linguistic reconstruction remains relevant in contemporary linguistics, the field has broadened its horizons to include 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay As part of linguistic exploration, the Korean language serves as a captivating subject of study, offering a rich tapestry of dialect diversity. Korean is characterized by the existence of six distinct dialects, including Seoul (Standard Korean), Gyeongsang, Chungcheong, Jeolla, Yeongseo, and Jejueo (originating from Jeju Island off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula). Among these dialects, Jejueo has garnered particular attention and sparked debate regarding its classification as a separate language or regional dialect. Linguists remain divided on this issue, with extensive research conducted in an attempt to unravel the linguistic complexities of Jejueo and discern its proper place within the spectrum of Korean language variations. Surprisingly, Jejueo has not only been documented, but has also enjoyed a remarkable degree of knowledge. academic control, a rare feat among endangered languages. Dong-Ho Ko states, “In 2014, about 500 linguistic studies on Jejueo were published.” This scholarly focus is noteworthy given Jejueo's relatively small stature compared to the multitude of dialects and languages ​​around the world. Linguistic Characteristics of Jejueo To gain detailed insights into Jejueo's linguistic landscape and its key characteristics, it is instructive to delve into the first Ph.D. D. thesis dedicated to the language. This seminal work highlights the importance that linguists have placed on understanding the morphology of Jejueo. A distinctive feature of the language is its 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 disappeared from the linguistic repertoire of Standard Korean. In particular, vowels such as "ㅓ" [ə] bear similarities to their Standard Korean counterparts but are pronounced with a reduced pharyngeal opening. Beyond its phonological distinctions, Jejueo diverges from standard Korean in terms of pragmatics. A salient deviation lies in the realm of linguistic formality and honorific language. In standard Korean, the suffix "습니다" (seumnida) plays a crucial role in imparting an honorific tone to sentences. For example, the phrase "반갑습니다" (ban' gapseumnida) translates to "Nice to meet you" in English and ends with the honorific suffix "습니다" (seumnida). This suffix indicates a respectful and polite way of speaking. In contrast, the equivalent phrase in Jejueo, "반갑수다" (ban'gapsuda), lacks 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 renowned. for its intricate system of honorific forms in speech, which stratify language based on hierarchies and social relationships. Consequently, addressing individuals of different social status or age entailsdistinct linguistic nuances. It is within this intricate web of formality and hierarchy that we must situate the ongoing debate over Jejueo's status as a dialect or as a language. A key observation emerges from the examination's juxtaposition of Jejueo and Standard Korean: Jejueo in particular lacks formal morphemes, suggesting a propensity for casual communication. This observation constitutes a key argument made by linguists who support the classification of Jejueo as a dialect, assuming that it appears "inferior" to the more elaborate and layered linguistic structure of Standard Korean. However, supporters of Jejueo's status as a distinct language find arguments in the same linguistic contrast. The absence of honorific speech patterns in Jejueo provides compelling evidence that distinguishes it from Standard Korean. While dialects typically derive from a common linguistic root and share fundamental features with the native language, Jejueo's distinct vowel system and absence of honorific speech markers suggest a closer kinship with the original Korean language than with its standardized counterpart . The classification of Jejueo as a dialect or language is far from settled. The complexities 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. Consequently, while some might argue that Jejueo appears to bear the hallmarks of a dialect, others argue that its distinctive features align it more closely with a distinct linguistic entity, exemplifying the perpetual interplay between linguistic continuity and variation in the study of language. of mutual intelligibility The determination of whether a linguistic entity constitutes a distinct language or a simple dialect depends on various factors, including the level of mutual intelligibility between speakers of related forms of speech. An eye-opening study conducted by the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa sought to shed light on this knotty question by investigating the levels of comprehension of four "closely related Korean dialects": Jejueo Native Speakers, Seoul (Standard Korean), South Jeollado and South Gyeongsangdo. These specific dialects were chosen strategically, with Jejueo serving as the control, the Jejueo dialect as the independent variable, and the other three dialects as the dependent variables. The overall goal of the experiment was to ascertain 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 participant pool of 40. Each participant underwent two phases of testing: first they listened to the recorded material without interruption, then repeated the study while the recordings were played at segmented intervals, varying from one to three clauses. The crux of the analysis focused on evaluating the accuracy of participants' responses to the comprehension questions. As anticipated, native Jejueo speakers showed the highest level of comprehension, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 89.21%. In contrast, speakers of 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%. By comparing these comprehensibility scores with those derived from studies of linguistic comprehension in different language pairs, such as Polish and Russian or Spanish and French, the resultsare within the expected range established by previous research. The notable variance in comprehension rates not only highlights the lack of systematic mutual intelligibility 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 danger Another fundamental aspect to consider in the classification of languages ​​is the concept of danger. A dangerThe language faces the grim prospect of becoming extinct in the future due to a number of factors that undermine its vitality. In East Asian societies such as Korea, collectivism occupies a prominent place, promoting social norms that emphasize unity and conformity. This cultural context provides crucial context for understanding Jejueo's endangered state. Comparable to the fate of the Hawaiian Pidgin, Jejueo has been grappling with the imposition of strong social stigma, particularly in public spaces and educational institutions in recent decades. The question arises spontaneously: 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 becoming proficient in Standard Korean. To offer a fair perspective, it is essential to recognize that the perception of Jejueo as inferior comes from the perspective of those within the 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 considered "inferior" due to its perceived lack of sophistication, particularly in the absence of an honorific speech system. Furthermore, this stigmatization of Jejueo as an "inferior" language has been perpetuated by social pressures, which have been particularly influential among younger generations. The strong emphasis on collectivism in East Asian cultures indirectly exacerbates this stigma, as increasing numbers of individuals choose to embrace Standard Korean to conform to social norms, further marginalizing the "inferior" language. Efforts to Revitalize the Jejueo Language Despite these formidable challenges that have hindered the vitality of Jejueo, efforts to revitalize the language have been active for some time. The Jeju Ministry of Education spearheaded the "Jejueo Education Master Plan" (GPJE), with the primary goal of integrating 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 improved attitudes towards Jejueo and greater mastery of the language. For example, Udo Middle School reported that 55% of its students expanded their Jejueo vocabulary, while Gwangryeong Elementary School noted that 87.3% of students improved their vocabulary test scores after participating to the program. However, as of 2018, Jejueo is not included as a specific subject in the curriculum but is offered as an extracurricular activity. Although these statistics refer to a relatively small population, they provide valuable evidence that ongoing efforts to revive Jejueo are not in vain. . It is evident that further research is needed to definitively establish Jejueo as a distinct language, and the pursuit of this research depends on social motivation and priorities. Currently the declaration and revitalization, 13, 32-52.