Korean dialects vary wildly across the peninsula, but none are more distinct than the differences between Seoul's standard Korean and Jeju's unique dialect. While Seoul Korean dominates media and education, Jeju dialect preserves archaic features and has even been classified as a separate language by some linguists.
Pronunciation differences
The most immediate difference between Seoul and Jeju Korean is pronunciation. Jeju dialect often preserves sounds that have disappeared from standard Korean:
- Jeju maintains the distinct 'ㆍ' vowel (arae-a) that vanished from Seoul Korean centuries ago
- Final consonants are pronounced more strongly in Jeju dialect
- Some vowel shifts differ, like Jeju's 'ㅔ' sounding closer to 'ㅐ'
아래아
[a̠ɾɛa̠]“Arae-a”
Vocabulary variations
Jeju dialect contains hundreds of words unfamiliar to Seoul speakers. Some derive from Middle Korean, others from the island's unique history and environment:
| Standard Korean | Jeju equivalent | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 아기 (agi) | 가시 (gasi) | Baby |
| 많이 (mani) | 하영 (hayoung) | A lot |
| 어디 (eodi) | 언제 (eonje) | Where |
Grammatical distinctions
Jeju grammar preserves features lost in standard Korean and shows influence from the island's historical connection to the Tamna kingdom:
- Different subject and object markers - Jeju often uses '-이' (i) where Seoul uses '-가' (ga)
- Unique verb endings like '-우마' (uma) for suggestions instead of '-자' (ja)
- Preservation of the '-노라' (nora) ending for present tense declaratives
탐라
[tʰa̠mna̠]“Tamna”
Modern status and preservation
While Seoul Korean dominates nationwide, efforts continue to preserve Jeju dialect:
- UNESCO classified Jeju language as 'critically endangered' in 2011
- Local schools offer Jeju language classes
- Jeju's government uses dialect in official communications
The dialect remains strongest among older residents, while younger Jeju islanders typically speak a mix of standard Korean and dialect.
