If you know or have studied Korean, you might know that Koreans distinguish some consonants by ‘aspiration’.
ㅍ has more ‘air’ to it than ㅂ, and the same goes with ㅋ/ㄱ and ㅌ/ㄷ.
However, did you know the difference between pairs is fading away? There are several studies on this topic in which scholars claim that modern Koreans, subconsciously, use the pitch of the consonant to distinguish them. In short, pronounce ㅋ, ㅌ, and ㅍ with a high pitch compared to ㄱ, ㄷ, and ㅂ.
Now, that doesn’t mean Korans no longer recognize the aspiration of the sound. We still can. However, the studies suggest that pitch has become an equally important property for Koreans in distinguishing sounds.
If you bring the subject up with Koreans, they will be confused and will probably deny that this phenomenon exists in the first place. The change is so subtle and happening over many generations, that Koreans couldn’t realize it.
However, it is interesting that the shift in the language might be happening right before our very eyes. If the trend continues, Korean could be officially recognized as a tonal language.
submitted by /u/Tall_Department9439
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