VOA慢速英语2015 更多的美国学生学习韩语

More US Students Learning Korean 更多的美国学生学习韩语

Korean language studies are quickly growing in popularity¹ across the United States. The Modern Language Association says the number of U.S. college students taking a Korean language class rose by almost 45% between 2009 and 2013. The group notes that the increase comes at a time when the number of college students taking foreign language classes has declined³.

This is K-pop -- Korean popular music. Many people around the world like the sound of K-pop.

“They do a lot of dancing, yes. And it’s more upbeat.”

“I think it's fun. I’m a little surprised that it’s caught on to the rest of the world.”

People can listen to K-pop music, and watch K-pop videos and Korean drama programs on websites like YouTube.

David Schaberg is Dean⁴ of Humanities⁵ at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also serves as a professor in UCLA’s Department of Asian Languages & Cultures, where students can study Korean.

“As a dean of humanities, to look at a country that’s creating its reputation globally through cultural production, that’s very exciting. Of course, it attracts students. Of course, it means more Americans who may have had nothing at all to do with Korea will now be gravitating to the study of Korean language and culture.”

Rosemary Feal has worked as the executive⁶ director of The Modern Language Association since 2002. She spoke⁷ to VOA on Skype.

“Many students say they really want to get inside the culture and they want a better understanding, and so clearly language gives us access into culture and cultural expression.”

Persida Radu is learning Korean. Like many others, her interest in the language started with music.

“I actually first got into Korean pop and then the dramas they show, and then learning it.”

Ms. Feal says there is another reason for the popularity of Korean language studies. She notes that children of Korean immigrants want to speak to their parents and grandparents in Korean.

“We know there is a correlation⁸ between the immigration patterns and the new generations wanting to learn a family language.”

She is describing people like John Park. He is taking a special class for ethnic⁹ Koreans. The class is designed for those who may speak a little Korean, but not enough to talk with older family members who may not speak English.

“I don’t speak Korean too well, and of course I want to communicate with my parents, my grandparents, and so I took it to learn how to read and write more effectively.”

Professor Sung-Ock Sohn teaches Korean classes at UCLA. She says another reason people want to learn the language is the growing economic power of South Korea.

Professor Schaberg says the popularity of Korean language training is also affecting American culture. He says it shows that American culture is becoming more Asian, or at least opening up to more Asian influences. 

Language researchers say the growing number of U.S. students taking Korean language classes shows no sign of ending anytime soon. Their reasons: the popularity of K-pop and the rising number of Korean-Americans seeking to re-connect with older family members.

Words in This Story

decline² – v. to drop; to become lower in amount; to worsen in condition or quality

caught on – v. (past tense) to become popular

drama – n. a theatrical¹⁰ production or show that deals with a serious subject

reputation – n. public image; the opinion that people have on something

gravitate – v. to move to or toward something

correlation – n. a relationship or linkage

1 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

2 decline   

n.衰微，跌落，下降；vt.使降低，婉谢；vi.下降，衰落，偏斜

参考例句：

• I must decline to show favour to any of the candidates.我必须拒绝偏袒任何一位候选人。
• The birthrate is on the decline.出生率在下降。

3 declined   

v.辞谢，谢绝（邀请等）( decline的过去式和过去分词 )；（道路、物体等）下倾；（太阳）落下；（在品格、价值上）降低

参考例句：

• We asked her to come to our party, but she declined. 我们请她来参加我们的晚会，但是她谢绝了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He declined to charge his memory with so many details. 他不愿在脑中记这么多细枝末节。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 Dean   

n.(大学)院长，系主任，教务长

参考例句：

• The students much like the new dean.学生们很喜欢这位新系主任。
• Who is the dean of the Foreign Languages Department?外语系主任是谁？

5 humanities   

n.人文学

参考例句：

• Dalian University offers courses in science and in the humanities. 大连大学开设自然科学和人文科学课程。
• She has a background in humanities and modern languages. 她学过人文学科和现代语言。

6 executive   

adj.执行的，行政的；n.执行者，行政官，经理

参考例句：

• A good executive usually gets on well with people.一个好的高级管理人员通常与人们相处得很好。
• He is a man of great executive ability.他是个具有极高管理能力的人。

7 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 correlation   

n.相互关系，相关，关连

参考例句：

• The second group of measurements had a high correlation with the first.第二组测量数据与第一组高度相关。
• A high correlation exists in America between education and economic position.教育和经济地位在美国有极密切的关系。

9 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

10 theatrical   

adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的

参考例句：

• The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
• She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。