Dialect Teacher's Special Dialect Lecture Popular
Popularity Brings Even Fake Dialects Appearing
Recently, 'Dialect Special Lecture' content has been gaining popularity on social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. These videos typically feature a 'dialect teacher' humorously explaining how specific words or sentences are expressed in various regions like Gyeongsang-do, Jeolla-do, and Chungcheong-do.
The YouTube channel 'Hamalmunman' produced a 'Gyeongsang-do Dialect Special Lecture' video that surpassed 1.3 million views, leading to a second video. Additionally, a video featuring comedian Kim Doo-young introducing Chungcheong-do dialect expressions for different situations garnered views ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million.
A YouTuber giving a dialect special lecture in the concept of a dialect teacher. [Photo by YouTube channel 'Hamalmneomman'.]
For native Seoul residents, the fact that dialects differ by region is amusing, while those from the provinces find it fascinating that everyday words they use are turned into comedic material.
Unlike in the past when dialect comedy simply emphasized a ridiculous or rustic image, content that captures the 'flavor' of dialects and uses them appropriately for the situation is increasing, resonating with those who speak these dialects.
As dialects gain popularity, even nonsensical 'fake dialects' are emerging.
A video on the YouTube channel 'Pisik University,' which has 2.87 million subscribers, features comedian Lee Yong-joo using a 'fake Gyeongsang-do dialect' and has surpassed 5 million views.
In the video, Lee Yong-joo invents expressions such as saying 'sleepy' as 'jami kkal-kki-ha-ne' and 'cockroach' as 'baku ssap kkul bba' in the Gyeongsang-do dialect.
According to Yonhap News, popular culture critic Jung Deok-hyun explained, "The emotional characteristics of each region come through in the dialect, creating empathy and laughter. In the past, using dialects as comedic material was sometimes seen as regional disparagement, but recently, there has been a more favorable atmosphere emphasizing regional uniqueness."
Furthermore, Professor Gu Jeong-woo of Sungkyunkwan University's Department of Sociology commented, "Diversity has become an important social value, and like the trend of retro, dialects now give off a 'hip' (stylish and modern slang) vibe. Dialects from various regions are being used in a horizontal context, which helps eliminate resistance to unfamiliar languages."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
