Loanwords

Western Loanwords in Korean and Japanese: How English Words Adapt Differently

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Korean, Japanese, Western Loanwords

Explore how English and other Western words are integrated into Korean and Japanese. This article examines phonetic adaptation, semantic shifts, and cultural factors that shape foreign vocabulary in each language.   1. Introduction: Western Words Enter the East When Western technology, culture, and products began flowing into East Asia during the 19th and 20th centuries, … Read more

Loanwords in Korean and Japanese: A Tale of Two Adaptations

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Why Korean and Japanese Borrowed Words Differ

Korean and Japanese borrowed words from Chinese and English differently. Learn how history, pronunciation, and meaning shaped unique adaptations. Loanwords—words adopted from one language into another—are fascinating markers of cultural exchange and linguistic evolution. Over centuries, both Korean and Japanese have integrated thousands of such words, influenced heavily by ancient Chinese and more recently by … Read more