Jeju Language Revival: New Children's Books Preserve Korea's Endangered Dialect Through Emotions and Memories

## The Emotional Journey of Jeju Language Through Children's Literature

A remarkable cultural movement is taking place on Korea's southern island of Jeju, where authors are breathing new life into the island's endangered dialect through children's literature. Kim Shin-ja's latest poetry collection 'Jaldo Akkopda-i' (meaning 'very cute' in Jeju dialect) represents a groundbreaking approach to language preservation by focusing on emotional expression through the unique vocabulary of Jeju language. This 65-poem collection, created in collaboration with her son who provided illustrations, offers both Jeju dialect and standard Korean translations, making it accessible to readers while maintaining the authentic linguistic heritage of the island.

The book explores emotions through distinctly Jeju expressions like 'deulssakdeulssak' (shoulder dancing when happy), 'ulkkakulkkak' (sudden anger or excitement), 'bungdangbungdang' (grumbling when dissatisfied), 'chummakchummak' (trembling from surprise), and 'omangomang' (things clustered together cutely). These words capture emotional nuances that simply don't exist in standard Korean, highlighting the cultural richness embedded within the Jeju language. Korean online communities have responded enthusiastically to these preservation efforts, with many netizens on platforms like Naver and Daum expressing nostalgia for their grandparents' speech patterns and appreciation for making Jeju dialect accessible to children.

## UNESCO's Critical Endangerment Classification and Its Cultural Impact

The urgency behind these literary efforts becomes clear when considering UNESCO's 2010 classification of Jeju language as 'critically endangered' - the highest level of language endangerment possible. This designation means that the youngest speakers are grandparents and older generations who speak the language only partially and infrequently. With approximately 6,700 languages worldwide and 2,473 projected to disappear in the near future, Jeju language faces an existential crisis that extends far beyond mere vocabulary loss.

The language's decline accelerated dramatically following the traumatic events of the 1948 Jeju uprising, the Korean War, and South Korea's rapid modernization. Many fluent speakers remaining on Jeju Island are now over seventy years old, and most younger residents speak a variety of Korean with only a Jeju substratum rather than the traditional Jeju language. Community reactions on Korean forums like TheQoo and Instiz reflect a growing awareness of this crisis, with users sharing memories of elderly relatives and expressing regret about not learning the dialect from their grandparents.

## The Linguistic Treasure Trove of Ancient Korean

What makes Jeju language particularly valuable to linguists and cultural preservationists is its retention of Middle Korean features and words that have been lost in Standard Korean. The language preserves elements from Korea's Goryeo and early Joseon periods, making it a living museum of Korean linguistic history. This historical depth explains why native Jeju speakers often find classical Korean texts like Hunminjeongeum more accessible than mainland Koreans do.

The dialect's unique characteristics extend beyond vocabulary to include a more conservative vowel inventory, different verbal paradigms, and distinct grammatical structures. For instance, Jeju has continuative aspect markers and mood distinctions in connective suffixes that are absent in Korean. Popular blog posts on platforms like Tistory have documented these linguistic treasures, with writers compiling lists of two-syllable Jeju words that sound familiar yet exotic to mainland Korean ears. The emotional resonance of these words has led to their adoption in cafe names, broadcasting programs, and cultural branding across Korea.

## Children's Literature as a Bridge Between Generations

The emergence of children's books in Jeju dialect represents more than just language preservation - it's a cultural bridge connecting generations and healing historical trauma. Author Kang Soon-bok, who won the first Jeju Language Literature Award in 2019 with 'Dancing White Paper Flowers,' has continued this tradition with works addressing sensitive topics like the April 3rd incident through children's literature. Her 2022 publication 'The Secret of White Camellias' tackles this historical tragedy while maintaining the gentle, accessible tone necessary for young readers.

These literary works serve as emotional healing tools, helping families process collective trauma while maintaining cultural continuity. Blog reviews on Naver highlight how parents use these books not just for language learning but for 'emotion play' - helping children identify and express feelings through the rich emotional vocabulary of Jeju dialect. The inclusion of emotion stickers and interactive elements in these publications demonstrates how modern educational techniques can support traditional language transmission.

## Community Response and Digital Preservation Efforts

Korean online communities have embraced these preservation efforts with remarkable enthusiasm. On platforms like DC Inside and FM Korea, users share personal anecdotes about their Jeju heritage and discuss the emotional impact of hearing familiar dialect words in children's literature. Many express surprise at discovering that words they thought were standard Korean are actually Jeju-specific terms.

The digital preservation movement extends beyond literature to include comprehensive documentation projects. The Endangered Languages Archive at SOAS University of London has collected audio and video recordings of native Jeju speakers in everyday conversations, traditional songs, and ritual performances. Local initiatives include the establishment of a 15-member committee by the Jeju provincial government to create preservation blueprints, language speech contests, and integration of Jeju dialect into school curricula. Social media campaigns encourage young people to learn basic Jeju expressions, with viral posts teaching phrases like 'polssak sogasuda' (completely fooled) gaining popularity among Korean netizens.

## The Global Context of Language Preservation

The Jeju language preservation movement occurs within a broader global context of indigenous language revitalization. Nobel Prize winner Han Kang's recent international recognition has brought renewed attention to Korean linguistic diversity, particularly through her novel 'We Do Not Part,' which explores Jeju's historical trauma. This global spotlight has encouraged local authors and educators to view their preservation efforts as part of a worldwide movement to maintain linguistic diversity.

International academic institutions have taken notice of Jeju's unique linguistic features, leading to collaborative research projects and exchange programs. The language's potential Peninsular Japonic substratum has sparked scholarly debate, while its preservation serves as a model for other endangered languages in East Asia. Korean cultural exports, from K-pop to K-dramas, have created unexpected opportunities for Jeju dialect exposure, with some entertainment content incorporating authentic Jeju expressions to add regional flavor.

## Future Prospects and Ongoing Challenges

Despite positive developments in children's literature and community engagement, significant challenges remain for Jeju language preservation. A 2017 study revealed that while 82.8% of Jeju Islanders consider the dialect 'nice to listen to' and 74.9% hope their children will learn it, substantial generational differences persist in attitudes toward the language. Only 13.8% of Jeju Islanders between 20 and 40 prefer Jeju over Standard Korean, compared to 49.1% of those above 80.

The success of children's literature in Jeju dialect offers hope for reversing this trend. By focusing on emotional expression and cultural identity rather than mere vocabulary preservation, these books create meaningful connections between language and lived experience. Online communities continue to support these efforts through book reviews, discussion forums, and social media campaigns that celebrate Jeju linguistic heritage. The ultimate goal extends beyond preventing language death to fostering a new generation of speakers who view Jeju dialect not as a relic of the past but as a vibrant medium for contemporary expression and cultural identity.