After looking at the many different language families there are out there I have found what family my target language belongs to. Korean belongs to the Koreanic language family and is considered a language isolate even though it shares some historical influences with neighboring languages such as Japanese, Chinese, and Mongolian. However, throughout its history, Korea’s cultural contact with China deeply shaped its language. For centuries, educated Koreans used Classical Chinese in writing (This later become known as hanja writing system in today’s Korean language), and many Sino-Korean words remain common today—for example, 학교 (hakgyo, “school”) and 문화 (munhwa, “culture”). Later, during the 20th century, English loanwords entered the language through globalization and technology, producing terms like 컴퓨터 (keompyuteo, “computer”) and 인터넷 (inteonet, “internet”).
Understanding this layered history helps me appreciate how Korean reflects both continuity and adaptation. The invention of Hangul in the 15th century marked a turning point, allowing people of all classes to read and write in their own language rather than relying on Chinese/sino characters. This democratization of literacy shaped and paved the way for modern Korean identity and national pride that is seen today.
Languages change naturally over time as speakers adapt to new cultural realities. Linguists study these changes by comparing older and newer texts, analyzing sound shifts, and observing language use among different generations. Seeing how Korean continues to evolve helps me connect its linguistic features to the broader story of Korea’s resilience, innovation, and global influence.
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