Following the releases of a new Japanese album BTS, The Best, and a third all-English single “Permission to Dance” from BTS, let's take a stroll through languages and their ties to culture. Language is often defined as the way in which we communicate with each other as humans, through words and speech structure. This is true; through language, we can write or speak to each other as we do every day. However, something often forgotten in this definition is a companion of a language, culture. For example, a painting can be described using any number of words found within a dictionary, but specific ones are chosen based on various factors to include, such as personal emotion or preference. Additionally, a trait of these words that accompanies these factors is culture. There is a culture within the languages we speak to one another. Starting right at the inception of the language itself, as the world has no universal language, various cultures, and communities around the globe needed to communicate with the people around them in a way that they could all understand.
The world is incredibly diverse, we see that in the different foods we eat, in the memories we have, or in the shades of our skin tones. This diversity is our culture, shown in various languages. For example, it can be a word choice that is used when speaking with respect to elders, or a formality in grammar when speaking to people you just met. When you are learning a language, it’s important to learn these nuances so that you can show respect for both the culture and the language itself.
Also found amongst languages are many words that don't translate fully or, when translated, come out with a result that is strange to the translator and the recipient of the translation. The concept might have to be explained in order for the word to make sense to someone unfamiliar with the language. This is where reliance on translating programs often falls short. Programs can’t and don’t take into account the cultural differences in which we speak. ARMY sees this often on Weverse, where the members of BTS post messages in their native Korean, while they are translated into the language of various internationally speaking ARMYs. A recent notable example of this came following the 2021 Muster concert by Jimin. In his post on Weverse, it was quickly noted that he had sent a message that used a very formal style of speaking, described as “textbook-like.” As it is common for the members to speak casually on the platform with ARMYs, it was quickly deduced that this was purposeful. When the attempt was made to translate the post, written in Korean, by the app’s translation service, it came out with perfect grammar and word choice. Understanding the cultural differences in the language and translation programs, Jimin was able to provide a message to all of ARMY.
Languages have also changed over time; we see this with “slang” words. Slang terms are words that have their own meaning but have been adopted by society to also stand for something new. As times come and go, new generations experience new events and pick up or drop slang terms, as the society deems fit for the time period. Communities have always used language as a medium of expression, whether it was about music, art, etc. With these slang terms, they are able to relate to each other in a casual way that is shared amongst the members of said community. We can see this within the BTS and ARMY, ourselves, with “보라해,” a slang word coined by member V to mean “I purple you.” The word being a contraction of “보라색” (purple) and “사랑해” (I love you). Within the culture that BTS and ARMY have created, this is a word that holds meaning for us, but in translation can be lost on others.
When we choose to learn a language, we are choosing to learn about a culture. We discover how people relate to one another through communication and the way their society has evolved around the language. The structure of a society and what they place importance upon are displayed within the words spoken and written. The Korean language, and thus culture, is something that BTS has always shown and wanted to share with ARMY and continues to do so through their music and content.
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Written by: Skylar
Edited by: Aury
Checked by: Vera
Awesome writing!!!