N.Korea studies: Arguments against language learning don’t add up



Opinion N.Korea studies: Arguments against language learning don’t add up Despite flaws with recent opinion on topic, author suggests Korean learning remains essential Peter Ward August 1, 2016 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News The recent debate on NK News about the merits of learning Korean as a prerequisite for a focus on the North has left me at pains to respond. For his part, Fyodor Tertitskiy said last month that a widespread language barrier was seriously holding back studies on North Korea, while David Tizzard later asked what was wrong with relying on translations to work on the country. Both authors make important points, but they would do well to think about who needs to learn language and who doesn’t in a bit more detail. The recent debate on NK News about the merits of learning Korean as a prerequisite for a focus on the North has left me at pains to respond. For his part, Fyodor Tertitskiy said last month that a widespread language barrier was seriously holding back studies on North Korea, while David Tizzard later asked what was wrong with relying on translations to work on the country. Both authors make important points, but they would do well to think about who needs to learn language and who doesn’t in a bit more detail. Become a member for less than $4 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Opinion

N.Korea studies: Arguments against language learning don’t add up

Despite flaws with recent opinion on topic, author suggests Korean learning remains essential

Peter Ward August 1, 2016

N.Korea studies: Arguments against language learning don’t add up

NK News

The recent debate on NK News about the merits of learning Korean as a prerequisite for a focus on the North has left me at pains to respond.

For his part, Fyodor Tertitskiy said last month that a widespread language barrier was seriously holding back studies on North Korea, while David Tizzard later asked what was wrong with relying on translations to work on the country. Both authors make important points, but they would do well to think about who needs to learn language and who doesn’t in a bit more detail.

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