105: Learning Journal #7

Languages usually "die" when countries conquer other countries. Additionally, languages can go extinct when a prominent language is simply more useful than a particular country's original language (for example, Mandarin and English is used globally now). One country that continues to preserve its original language is Korea.

Korea has been victim to multiple invasions by neighboring countries for hundreds, if not, thousands of years. In fact, the Chinese language has a huge influence on the Korean language but after King Sejong created the Korean alphabet, it started to sway away from Chinese origins of writing. And in the 1900's, Korea was invaded by Japan, a country that was trying to turn Korea into a Japanese speaking nation. Even my grandparents have Japanese names and were taught Japanese in elementary school until they surrendered in WWII. Although Mandarin has been increasing its influence all over the globe, I don't believe that the Korean language will "die" anytime soon.

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