Say "Chain Infection" Instead of "n-cha Gamyeom"

Recommendations for Korean Alternatives to Foreign Terms
"Simultaneous Epidemic of Infectious Diseases" Suggested for "Twindemic"
"Vertical Garden" Proposed as Replacement for "Bio Wall"
Ministry and Language Institute Encourage Wider Use of New Expressions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On September 21, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language recommended replacing the term "n-cha gamyeom (n次 感染)" with the Korean expressions "yeonswae gamyeom" (chain infection) or "yeonsok gamyeom" (consecutive infection). They also suggested using "sujik jeongwon" (vertical garden) and "gamyeombyeong dongsi yuhaeng" (simultaneous epidemic of infectious diseases) as Korean alternatives for "bio wall" and "twindemic," respectively.

The term "n-cha gamyeom" refers to a chain of infections that spreads through contact with infected individuals. The selection of the alternative terms "chain infection" and "consecutive infection" was based on a survey. In a public acceptance survey of about 600 people, 96.3% of respondents found the alternatives appropriate.

"Bio wall" refers to planting functional plants on vertical surfaces such as walls or fences to circulate indoor air and purify pollutants, or to such walls or fences themselves. "Twindemic" describes the simultaneous outbreak of two similar infectious diseases. During the "Saemalmoim" (New Words Committee) held from September 11 to 13, the Ministry and the Institute designated "vertical garden" and "simultaneous epidemic of infectious diseases" as the respective Korean alternatives.

The New Words Committee is a body that provides easy-to-understand Korean alternatives for difficult foreign neologisms before they become widespread. Experts from various fields, including Korean language, foreign languages, education, public relations and publishing, information and communications, and media, participate in the committee. The Ministry and the Institute plan to continue promoting the use of these alternatives, encouraging government agencies and media outlets to take the lead.

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