A Study of Language Use among Korean Residents in China

중국 조선족의 언어사용 양상에 관한 연구 흑룡강성 하얼빈시의 조선족 공동체를 중심으로

The main purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of the Korean language used as a major communication means within the Korean community in Chenguoz District of Harbin, Heirungjiang Province, China, in terms of its phonology, morphology and syntax. The study focuses on how a variety of languages and dialects including Chinese, the Standard Chinese Korean adopted as a means of teaching in Korean schools, and Kyongsang Dialect of Korean have influenced the language of the community It also deals as background information with the history of the community, the attitude of the community members toward Korean and Chinese, and their proficiencies of Korean and Chinese, to obtain the general picture of the bilingualism of this community This specific region was studied since this region and most of the Korean communities in the Heirungjiang province were formed by descendents of the immigrants from the southern provinces of the Korean Peninsula, which allows the comparison between the language used today and the language their ancestors used before moving to this area. Due to the industrialization and innovation brought about by the opening of the Chinese society, the fast outward flow of youths to urban areas, and greater assimilation threats from the embedding Chinese culture, we are not too sure if the Korean language will continue to be used in the future. Given these circumstances, we consider this research most opportune in that it provides a look into the Korean community that developed its distinctive culture and tanguage within an isolated cultural environment.