통일시대 사회통합을 위한 북한이탈주민 언어 문제 고찰

Abstract

This study discusses the language problems between native South Korean and North Korean refugees which have been indicated as the main obstacles to the Korean reunification and social integration of the refugees. This study classifies so called ‘language problem’ into two categories, internal-linguistic problem and external-linguistic problem. This study insists each of them is closely linked to specific ‘view’ on which we see the language problem, and delved into aspects of each view as well as comparing them. Through the research, the effect of different view on language problems in educational field were examined and its limitations were sought for the solution to the obstacles. First is the ‘internal-linguistic problems’ which are the communication difficulties and misinterpretation due to the differences between South Korean and the North Korean language. This is linked to the ‘internal-linguistic view’ which considers the linguistic traits as cause of these problems and focuses on linguistic differences between the two Korean varieties. Thus, the solution to the problem lies in reducing the linguistic differences between the South and North Korean language to encourage social integration. On the other hand, the ‘external-linguistic problems’ mean various troubles following when the speaker’s North Korean background is revealed via language use. The problem is usually initiated by the linguistic contact between the two parties, and is usually perceived as a pure language problem. However, observing the problems in an ‘external-linguistic view’ indicate that the real cause of the problem lies in the social context, such as the perceptions toward North Korea or the refugees. Therefore, this viewpoint also aims to find the solution from the external factors rather than the language usage. Throughout the years, there have been attempts to resolve the external-linguistic problems between the speakers using internal-linguistic way such as removing the North Korea accents from the refugees. This worked as a temporary solution to some extent, but it would not be the fundamental one. Thus, it is meaningful to distinguish different types of problems coalesced in the expressions such as ‘due to language problems.’ Eventually this study hopes that the external linguistic view would be considered as a significant foundation for the future discussions about the linguistic issues of Korean unification.