Korea’s changing linguistic landscape

Can you spot the shop sign? Small signs with the names of cafes and specialty shops written in small letters, often in combination with a minimalist logo are a trend in South Korea, especially Seoul. – Photos: Agencies

ONE of the pleasures of a visit to South Korea is noticing changes in the language of public and commercial signs, which linguists refer to as the “linguistic landscape.

The rapid pace of change in the country means similarly rapid changes in the linguistic landscape.