越来越多美国学生学习韩语

    Korean language studies are quickly growing in popularity across the United States. The Modern Language Association says the number of U.S. college students taking a Korean language class rose by almost 45% between 2009 and 2013. The group notes that the increase comes at a time when the number of college students taking foreign language classes has declined.
    美国学习韩语的人数正在迅速增长。现代语言协会表示,2009年到2013年期间,参加韩语课程的美国大学生人数上升了近45%。而与此同时,参加外语课程的大学生人数却有所下降。

    This is K-pop -- Korean popular music. Many people around the world like the sound of K-pop.
    你刚听到的是韩国流行音乐(简称K-pop)。世界各地很多人都喜欢韩国流行音乐。

    "They do a lot of dancing, yes. And it's more upbeat."
    有人说,“他们有很多舞蹈动作,而且它很快乐。”

    "I think it's fun. I'm a little surprised that it's caught on to the rest of the world."
    还有人说,“我觉得它很有趣。我对它风靡全球有点惊讶。”

    People can listen to K-pop music, and watch K-pop videos and Korean drama programs on websites like YouTube.
    人们可以在YouTube这类网站上听到韩国流行音乐,或者观看韩国流行视频以及韩国电视剧。

    David Schaberg is Dean of Humanities at the University of California, Los Angeles. He also serves as a professor in UCLA's Department of Asian Languages & Cultures, where students can study Korean.
    戴维·史嘉柏(David Schaberg)是加州大学洛杉矶分校(UCLA)人文部主任。他也是该校亚洲语言文化系的一位教授,学生们可以在该系学习韩语。

    "As a dean of humanities, to look at a country that's creating its reputation globally through cultural production, that's very exciting. Of course, it attracts students. Of course, it means more Americans who may have had nothing at all to do with Korea will now be gravitating to the study of Korean language and culture."
    他说:“做为人文部的主任,看到一个国家能够通过文化产业而蜚声全球,这非常令人兴奋。这也吸引了学生。当然这也意味着很多跟韩国没有任何联系的美国人现在可能会被吸引去学习韩国的语言和文化。”

    Rosemary Feal has worked as the executive director of The Modern Language Association since 2002. She spoke to VOA on Skype.
    罗丝玛丽·费尔(Rosemary Feal)自2002年开始担任现代语言协会的执行董事。她通过Skype对美国之音表示:

    "Many students say they really want to get inside the culture and they want a better understanding, and so clearly language gives us access into culture and cultural expression."
    “许多学生说他们真的希望深入了解韩国文化,很显然语言为我们提供了了解文化和文化现象的途径。”

    Persida Radu is learning Korean. Like many others, her interest in the language started with music.
    和许多人一样,佩尔西达·拉杜(Persida Radu)正在学习韩语。她对韩语的兴趣始于音乐。

    "I actually first got into Korean pop and then the dramas they show, and then learning it."
    她说,“实际上我先是接触到韩国流行音乐,然后是韩国电视剧,然后开始学习韩语。”

    Ms. Feal says there is another reason for the popularity of Korean language studies. She notes that children of Korean immigrants want to speak to their parents and grandparents in Korean.
    费尔女士表示,韩语学习热还有另外一个原因。她指出,韩国移民子女想要同父母以及身居韩国的祖父母沟通。

    "We know there is a correlation between the immigration patterns and the new generations wanting to learn a family language."
    她说,“我们知道在移民模式和年轻一代希望学习祖籍语言之间存在某种联系。”

    She is describing people like John Park. He is taking a special class for ethnic Koreans. The class is designed for those who may speak a little Korean, but not enough to talk with older family members who may not speak English.
    她说的就是约翰·朴(John Park)这类人。朴先生参加了为韩裔人士开设的特殊课程。该课程是为那些能说一些韩语,但不够与家里不会说英语的老人交谈的人准备的。

    "I don't speak Korean too well, and of course I want to communicate with my parents, my grandparents, and so I took it to learn how to read and write more effectively."
    朴先生说:“我韩语讲得不好,而且当然我想跟父母、祖父母沟通。因此我参加了韩语课程学习更加有效地读写。”

    Professor Sung-Ock Sohn teaches Korean classes at UCLA. She says another reason people want to learn the language is the growing economic power of South Korea.
    孙晟玉(音译,Sung-Ock Sohn)教授在加州大学洛杉矶分校教韩语课程。她说,人们想要学习韩语的另一大原因是韩国日益增长的经济实力。

    Professor Schaberg says the popularity of Korean language training is also affecting American culture. He says it shows that American culture is becoming more Asian, or at least opening up to more Asian influences.
    史嘉柏教授表示,韩国语言培训热也正在影响美国文化。他说,这反映出美国文化变得更加亚洲化,或者至少是更加开放地接受亚洲的影响。

    Language researchers say the growing number of U.S. students taking Korean language classes shows no sign of ending anytime soon. Their reasons: the popularity of K-pop and the rising number of Korean-Americans seeking to re-connect with older family members.
    语言研究人员表示,学习韩语课程的美国学生人数不断增长没有很快结束的迹象。原因是韩国流行音乐热以及越来越多韩裔美国人寻求同家中老人重新联系。

    I'm Jonathan Evans.
    我是乔纳森·埃文斯(Jonathan Evans)。(51VOA.COM对本文翻译保留全部权利,未经授权请勿转载,违者必究!)