Centre-Periphery Agency Dynamics During Linguistic Imperialism: An Investigation of Korean Perspectives

This study critically examines the sociolinguistic positionality of the English language, as situated within The Republic of Korea, employing features of Robert Phillipson’s Linguistic Imperialism framework. Specifically, the primary investigatory aim of this inquiry is an exploration of local stakeholder perceptions concerning Centre-Periphery agency dynamics during Korean EFL adoption. In addition to the work of Phillipson, the secondary research presented here is grounded heavily in locally-produced literature – thereby enabling an analysis that is appreciative of Korean scholarly representation. In doing so, this study intends to answer calls by various Periphery academics for comprehension of nonnative perspectives with reference to the societal impact of global English on distinct language learning milieus. Through a close examination of the conditions presented here, it is determined that local EFL users have recognized English in Korea as being hierarchically rationalized by local elites as necessary to the maintenance of Korean national and transnational advancement. Subsequently, Phillipson’s description of English language internalization via ideological mechanisms is shown to be accurate; moreover, on this occasion, directional causality toward Korea-intrinsic EFL hegemony has been established. Nevertheless, it is determined that theories of Western-driven linguistic imperialism fail to account fully for the functional validity of English language dominance in this context, given the absence of stakeholder recognition for Western agency during these processes.