December 19, 2021

In ‘Is it frivolous to learn Korean to appreciate Squid Game and K-drama shows?’ (Channel News Asia, 2021), Dr Daniel Chan (NUS Centre for Language Studies) argues that learning new languages for entertainment purposes should not be dismissed as being frivolous.

With the rise in popularity of Korean entertainment culture all around the world came a similar spike of interest in learning Korean. In the United States alone, a 40 per cent growth in new Korean learners was witnessed after the premiere of the Korean drama ‘Squid Game’.

Dr Chan points out that picking up a language has never been easier today, with the advent of free apps and online communities to practise with. As such, the reasons for learning new languages need not be tied down to those of practicality. Even in a pragmatic country like Singapore, some Singaporeans pick up new languages to communicate with locals when travelling, and others learn new languages simply because they are drawn to how that language sounds. Furthermore, intrinsic motivation, which refers to doing something for the inherent satisfaction it brings, tends to drive us more strongly than purely practical reasons.

Dr Chan also explains that learning a foreign language may be a way of letting our minds travel – especially since international travel has been largely shut down for the past two years. Learning a new language is a meaningful way of allowing us to feel connected to another culture and people, and a fulfilling personal challenge to overcome.

Read the article here.