The sociolinguistic analysis of gyeongsang dialect in media: a case study of Reply 1988

Đurđević, Jovana (author), Kang, Byoung Yoong (mentor)

This thesis examines the representation and interpretation of the Gyeongsang dialect in South Korean television media, with a focus on dialect use in the 2015 drama Reply 1988. Using sociolinguistic theory, it examines how characters switch between styles, using the Gyeongsang dialect and Standard Korean, depending on the emotional and social context of their conversations. Additionally, it investigates how linguistic style-shifting and attitudes toward dialect vary across different settings and generations. By analyzing dialogue patterns from the series, with a focus on characters Gim Seon-yeong and Choe Mu-seong, the study highlights the symbolic role of the dialect as a marker of identity, intimacy, and regional connection. The findings of this study reveal a clear generational split where older characters frequently use dialect in informal and emotional situations. In comparison, younger characters tend to favor Standard Korean, reflecting broader national trends toward language standardization. The analysis also demonstrates how dialect functions not only as a regional marker but also as a tool for negotiating identity and belonging throughout the series.

• Language: English
• Keywords: sociolinguistics, Gyeongsang dialect, Reply 1988, style-shifting, language in media
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Year: 2025
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-179058
• Publication date in RUL: 04.02.2026

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Sociolingvistična analiza gyeongsangskega narečja v medijih: študija primera Reply 1988

Abstract

Ta diplomska naloga preučuje reprezentacijo in interpretacijo pokrajinskega govora Gyeongsang v južnokorejskih televizijskih medijih, s poudarkom na rabi narečja v drami Reply 1988 iz leta 2015. S pomočjo sociolingvistične teorije analizira, kako liki prehajajo med govornimi slogi, pri čemer uporabljajo gyeongsangsko narečje in standardno korejščino glede na čustveni in družbeni kontekst pogovora. Poleg tega raziskuje, kako se slogovno prehajanje in odnos do narečja razlikujeta med različnimi okolji in generacijami. Z analizo vzorcev dialogov iz serije, s posebnim poudarkom na likih Gim Seon-yeong in Choe Mu-seong, študija poudarja simbolno vlogo narečja kot označevalca identitete, intimnosti in regionalne pripadnosti. Ugotovitve raziskave razkrivajo jasno generacijsko razliko, kjer starejši liki pogosto uporabljajo narečje v neformalnih in čustveno nabitih situacijah. Mlajši liki pa v primerjavi pogosteje posegajo po standardni korejščini, kar odraža širše nacionalne trende k jezikovni standardizaciji. Analiza prav tako pokaže, da narečje ne deluje zgolj kot regionalni označevalec, temveč tudi kot orodje za pogajanje o identiteti in pripadnosti skozi celotno serijo.

• Keywords: sociolingvistika, narečje Gyeongsang, Reply 1988, slogovno prehajanje, jezik v medijih