[Thinking of Seoul While Walking] What Seoul, a Multilingual City, Needs...

US Military Government, Japanese Rule, and Geopolitical Influence
Increase in English, Japanese, and Chinese Usage
Recent Rise of Trade and Cultural Powers
Influx of Immigrants from Southeast Asia and Central Asia
Higher Multilingual Proportion in Documentary Sources
Need for a Common Korean Language Learning System

A multilingual city refers to a city where multiple languages are used within its boundaries. Most people would first think of global cities like New York or London. However, that is not necessarily the case. Traditional multiethnic countries have long used multiple languages within a single city, and in some places, language diversity increased due to the forced spread of the ruler's language under imperialism. Since the late 20th century, cities with rapidly increasing immigrant populations have also seen a surge in language diversity.

What about Seoul? At first glance, it may seem far from being a multilingual city. Compared to many cities worldwide, the proportion of immigrants and foreigners is small, and 95% of the population speaks Korean as their mother tongue, so it might be seen that way. However, as Seoul has risen as a trade powerhouse and international exchanges in various fields have become more active, encountering English in Seoul has long become natural. Major signs are displayed in both Korean and English side by side, and accessing English information has become relatively easy. Since the late 1990s, with an emphasis on practical English education, the general public's speaking skills have improved, making communication with foreigners in English relatively smooth.

What about other languages? Since the late 19th century, Western powers including Japan and China influenced the Korean Peninsula in various ways, and as foreigners such as businessmen and missionaries increased, more Koreans began learning their languages. By the late 19th century, Chinese immigrants had established roots, creating a Chinatown, and during the Japanese colonial period, the Japanese Empire forcibly taught Japanese to Koreans through the education system, while high schools and universities also taught English, French, German, and other languages. After liberation, Japanese almost disappeared, but English began to take deep root on the peninsula due to the influence of the U.S. military government. After the Korean War, rapid export-driven economic growth in the 1960s led to a sharp increase in Koreans using English. After establishing diplomatic relations with Japan in 1965, trade and human exchanges expanded, leading to an increase in Japanese language users again.

Various language signs hang on the streets of Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Until the late 20th century, the foreign languages heard in Seoul were mostly English, Chinese, and Japanese. Entering the 21st century, the number of foreigners residing in Korea for various reasons such as foreign workers, international students, and marriage migrants increased rapidly, and the languages used also began to diversify rapidly. Communities of people speaking various languages from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia formed, and signs in various languages appeared in street shops.

Another phenomenon is also observed. More Koreans who lived abroad for a long time have returned to live in Korea, using the languages they used in those countries. Looking around, one can see not only English, Chinese, and Japanese but also languages from countries where many Koreans migrated in the 20th century, such as Central Asia, Russia, Germany, and Latin America. Along with foreigners newly immigrating to Korea through these communities, active exchanges by language groups are taking place. Some of them operate within limited ‘foreigner villages,’ but most live and engage in social activities throughout Seoul without restriction.

In the 21st century, Koreans' foreign language skills have also diversified. With the shift toward practical English education, overall speaking and listening skills have improved, and the English proficiency of professionals who earned degrees in English-speaking countries has become very high. This has enabled Korean universities, companies, and research institutions to acquire the latest global information more easily and quickly, as well as to disseminate their achievements abroad. Although fewer in number compared to English-speaking countries, professional exchanges with Europe and Japan have diversified, and those proficient in German, French, Italian, and Japanese have long been established in various fields. Since diplomatic relations with China were established in 1992 and a study abroad boom in China occurred in the 2000s, interest in China has increased, and the number of people who can communicate fluently in Chinese across fields has also grown. Seoul is already a city where intellectual activities conducted in foreign languages are very active. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea’s health and medical system was globally recognized for its swift understanding of the worldwide situation and smooth response.

If a ‘multilingual intellectual activity index’ by city were ever published, Seoul would undoubtedly rank very high among the world’s major cities. Seoul’s multilingualism began under imperialism and foreign domination, but as the nation grew and society developed, the painful history has gradually transformed into an advantage.

Another noteworthy point is that Seoul has a high proportion of multilingual materials in books, various documents, and internet resources. Since the 21st century, Korea has actively increased the proportion of electronic materials as well as books and documents in libraries, with a strong focus on English but also a significant amount of foreign language materials. It is not difficult for ordinary citizens to access various foreign language materials at public libraries. For example, the Seoul Library, opened in 2012, holds about 50,000 books in various languages in its ‘World Materials Room,’ and the Namsan Library established a ‘Multicultural Materials Room’ in 2014. The abundance of foreign language materials in libraries large and small is very positive.

The number of immigrants and foreigners visiting Seoul will continue to increase. As more people come from around the world, Seoul’s multilingualism will expand to include more diverse language groups. What should Seoul prepare for these people? Above all, what they need to settle as members of Korean society is to acquire the common language, Korean. To enable them to contribute to the community as rightful citizens of Korean society, a system that allows easy and convenient learning of Korean must be established. In fact, cities that have already become multilingual have long made efforts to teach the city’s common language. It is clear that multilingual cities will increase worldwide, including Seoul. If Seoul takes the lead in creating an effective system, it could have a significant global ripple effect. Moreover, when such a system is equipped, Seoul can leap forward to the next stage as a true multilingual city.

Robert Pauzer, Former Professor at Seoul National University