Chatbot→Conversation Robot, Solution→Problem-Solving Technology ... Yeungnam University Simplifies 50 Difficult Information and Communication Terms

A promotional material advocating for changing difficult information and communication terms into easy Korean words.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Koo Dae-seon] How about using ‘cyber rekka’ as ‘cyber promoter’ and ‘pharming’ as ‘internet trap scam’?

The Korean Language Culture Research Institute at Yeungnam University (Director Choi Dong-joo), together with the National Information Society Agency (NIA, Director Hwang Jong-sung), has been working for about six months from June to the end of November to replace difficult terms frequently used in the field of information and communication technology with easy Korean words.

Most information and communication technology terms are foreign words, making them inevitably difficult for the general public. However, many of these terms are frequently exposed through articles and media and are closely related to daily life. To reduce the communication gap with the general public and avoid misunderstandings, it is urgent to use terms that are easy to understand.

The Korean Language Culture Research Institute at Yeungnam University started the ‘2022 Government Public Institution Difficult Term Improvement Project’ in June to replace information and communication technology terms that have deeply penetrated not only professional fields but also everyday life with easy Korean words.

They first identified about 500 information and communication technology terms and then began the work of preparing alternatives. After several consultations with language experts and information and communication technology specialists, they selected 50 final refined terms. During this process, surveys were conducted targeting the general public and field workers to preliminarily verify the feasibility of substitution in the field.

‘Data mining’ was changed to ‘data analysis and excavation’, ‘life logging’ to ‘digital daily technology’, ‘voice assistant’ to ‘voice helper’, ‘solution’ to ‘problem-solving technology’, ‘open data’ to ‘open-type data’, ‘inventory’ to ‘storage’, ‘chatbot’ to ‘conversation robot’, and ‘component’ to ‘constituting part’.

Choi Dong-joo, director of the Korean Language Culture Research Institute at Yeungnam University (professor of Korean Language and Literature), said, “There were some concerns that the alternative terms might not fully include the original meanings during the proposal process. For example, the word ‘palgup-hyeopyeo-gi’ (push-up) does not mean all movements of bending and stretching the arms, but specifically refers to ‘an exercise where one bends and stretches the arms while lying face down (Standard Korean Dictionary).’ When deciding on a term, it is difficult to always express all the situations it means. We ask for understanding that even if it feels somewhat insufficient, it is necessary to use it frequently and become familiar with it.”

NIA Director Hwang Jong-sung said, “There are many technical terms whose meanings are difficult to infer just by looking at the words. It is true that changing established terms takes a lot of time and effort. However, I believe this is an essential process to guide policies in a way that the public can easily understand and to establish a culture of correct Korean language use. We will take the lead in improving the use of public language by replacing foreign and conventionally used terms with easy Korean words.”

The Korean Language Culture Research Institute at Yeungnam University plans to publish a glossary containing the 50 selected refined terms and promote the use of alternative terms through various media to make it more convenient for field workers to use them and to inform the general public about the purpose of the project and encourage the use of alternative terms.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.