Pronunciation

How European Speakers’ L1 Shapes Their Korean: Particles, Pronunciation, and Prosody

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Young European man with light brown hair and blue eyes thinking, with a large empty thought bubble above his head.

Explore how native European languages influence advanced learners of Korean. This article examines particle usage, pronunciation patterns, and prosody, offering insights for teachers and learners seeking accuracy and natural expression.   1. Introduction Foreign speakers whose mother tongue is a European language often achieve impressive levels of Korean proficiency, yet native listeners frequently detect subtle, … Read more

Sana, Sakura, and Tsuki: How Japanese K-pop Idols Struggle with Korean “공룡” Pronunciation

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Twice's Sana

Discover why Japanese K-pop idols like Sana, Sakura, and Tsuki struggle with the Korean word “공룡.” Explore Korean pronunciation challenges, Japanese phonetics, and how language systems affect idol performances.   1. Why is “공룡 (dinosaur)” one of the hardest words for Japanese K-pop idols? If you’re a K-pop fan, you’ve probably noticed something funny. TWICE’s … Read more