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Use of Language

This essay explores the use of language in the book Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick. The book, which is a narrative on daily life in North Korea based on interviews with refugees from North Korea itself, also contains some North Korean words that play an important role in the tone and meaning of the book. These North Korean phrases bring historical and cultural context to the story’s plot, immerses the reader in a more realistic view of the world and forces them to experience life in North Korea from a true perspective, and also holds much symbolic meaning. Throughout the essay, it is developed that language is a source of power, something that reflects the oppressive North Korean government. Particularly in this book, the language ties back to many political concepts and viewpoints, which is further deepened through the evocative phrase and words. In summary, this essay examines how the use of language in literature can affect the meaning of a book or story and the tone of how it is presented.


Nothing To Envy: Essay on Use of Language


Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick is a nonfiction book that explores the true life of people living in North Korea. Based on interviews, this book explores the communist government at the time, the oppression that the citizens faced and the harrowing consequences that could result from a minor misdemeanor. All events in the book were based on true words the author Barbara Demick heard from refugees that escaped North Korea. The narrative explores many different perspectives that different people had on the North Korean government. The book contains details and information that are hard to find elsewhere, as well as insights on the oppression and surveillance the government forced on its citizens. Throughout the book, Barbara Demick also chooses to use some North Korean words instead of their English translations. This choice adds some depth to the story and immerses the reader more in the world of the narrators, really making the story seem more authentic and realistic. 

By incorporating authentic North Korean words into the story and not just using their English translations, Barbara Demick further develops culture throughout the book. The words add meaning and depth to what the readers are trying to learn about the lives of North Koreans, and bring a sense of originality and authenticity. For example, Demick wrote, “There were also kyuch’aldae, mobile police units who roamed the streets…” (Demick, Ch. 3). This line uses North Korean words, but also includes the meaning. Through this, readers are able to understand more about North Korea’s history as well as society. The word “kyuch’aldae” used in the quote symbolizes the tyranny during the country’s oppressive regime, and brings to light the resilience and socioeconomic challenges that many citizens faced, which contributes to the cultural context that the North Korean words bring. “The inminban network grew out of the aegukban, or "patriotic groups" system, which was introduced by the Japanese in colonial Korea in 1940.” (Wikipedia). Other words, like “inminban” also tells us more about North Korea’s history through some background research, and the knowledge that many groups formed one inminban reveals that North Korean families likely had a somewhat intimate relationship and were close enough to come together to perform community service and menial tasks. Overall, by adding natural North Korean words to the story without only providing the English translation adds authenticity and contributes to the historical and cultural context of the text, which brings meaningfulness to the general impression of the book.

Demick’s use of North Korean words also provides the reader with a more immersive experience into the narrative. Words like “songbun” and “kkojebti” that come up later in the story are very descriptive, immersing the reader in an imaginative world that is more realistic and believable. “It helped, too, that Mrs. Song had at various times been head of the inminban in the building and commanded some respect from the state security officers.” (Demick, Ch. 3). The word “iminiban” that is used in the quote forces the reader to picture in their mind exactly what the Korean neighborhood group is like, not just what readers believe it to be. The North Korean words make the story more realistic and rooted in reality, not just something that a reader reads about and then tosses away because the world in their mind is as far-fetched as a land with unicorns and mermaids. These Korean words act as an anchor to the reader as they interpret the meaning of the story, they make the reader stay grounded and not think, but know that what is going on in the story is real and happened to real people. The North Korean words help the reader to also experience the world from the refugee’s point of view, not just their own.

The symbolic meaning that the North Korean words possess in the story is also another reason for them in the plot. The Korean words used in the story all symbolize and reflect the themes and lessons that the author is trying to convey to the readers. “Her husband’s remark was quickly reported to the head of the inminban” (Demick, Ch. 3). In this case, the word “inminban” is used to describe the oppression and dictatorship that occurred in North Korea at the time, and other words that are used later in the story like “songbun” and “kkotjebi” reflect themes of social caste / inheritance and social abandonment, respectively.  The country’s language that is used in this story greatly conveys the universal message that language is a powerful tool in government, as it can be used for propaganda, manipulation of knowledge and installing social ideologies. “Language is not just a system of rules but a social action deeply embedded in cultural and ideological contexts.” (Decressac, Medium.com).  As seen in the story, the language used can decide what message is conveyed across to the audience, like in a speech. If you deliver it formally, people will be more likely to take it in more seriously than if you laugh while presenting. The unfamiliarity of the words symbolizes the isolation that the North Koreans faced, and also just adds texture to the book. These authentic phrases that Barbara Demick harmonizes with the deep meaning of the book adds symbolic significance, highlighting the main message of the narratives. 

Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick is a compelling historical narrative that really goes deep into the lives of North Korean citizens, based on interviews with North Korean refugees / defectors. Throughout the entire book, Demick also uses some classic North Korean words instead of just their English translations, which contributes to the story in multiple ways. First, it adds a taste of authenticity and provides cultural and historical context of North Korea. The words also add a sense of realism, and makes the readers believe what they are reading and view the world from a different perspective, one of a first-hand experience rather than their own imagination or information they read about. The North Korean words are also very symbolic and reflect many themes that are portrayed throughout the story. Apart from just that, the tone and the meaning of the book is also altered. The tone becomes one that is journalistic and realistic, but also becomes unsettling, which is the nature of life in North Korea. By using North Korean words, the author also lets it be known the citizens of North Korea are not just abstract victims, but also living, breathing people who have a history to share. Through this book, we can understand that language is power, something that can be twisted and manipulated to bring different meanings and messages. The same phrase used differently can have very different meanings. The use of North Korean words and phrases in Nothing to Envy adds layer to the story and depth to the overall meaning.



Reference:



Demick, Barbara. Nothing to Envy. 


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