What is the standard/prestige Korean accent?

Question

I have two Korean friends, one from Seoul and one from Daejeon. They are also friends with each other and joke around all the time.

The friend from Seoul tells me to learn Korean from the Daejeon friend. He says that the Daejeon accent is the prestige accent.

The friend from Daejeon tells me that the Seoul friend is just making fun of us and that the Seoul accent is standard.

So who is speaking the truth?

Answer 1

Seoul accent is definitely the standard accent of Korean and that's what most TV announcers use. (in South Korea!)
Daejon accent is based on Chungcheong dialect but it is not as strong as Pusan accent or Gwangju accent.
To me, as a native speaker of Korean, Daejon accent sounds a bit slow and naive.
Korea has many dialects and accents and all of them are mutually intelligible except for Jeju Island's Dialect.

If you want to know further information about Korean dialects, check these articles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_language#Dialects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_dialects

Answer 2

The language in Seoul is typically the more "pure" Korean with proper pronunciation. The further south you go, there is a pronounced accent. I learned Korean in Pusan and people from Seoul always commented on my southern accent.

Answer 3

I don't think there is any difference in accent between Daejeon and Seoul. However, Pusan/Daegu have a different accent and slightly different dielect. For instance Haraboji, grandfather, becomes Halbae in Southeastern part of Korea.
You'll see this type of accent used in many Korean Mafia/Yakusa films. So it's kind of a hip style of talking. But Daejeon and Seoul I think they are pulling your leg.

Answer 4

If your american you will understand this : seoul is midwestern, standard, dull, plain, everyday, hollywood accent. daejon is southern. it is slower, slanged and charming. it is easier for foreigners to learn with a dejeon accent because it is slower, like the southern accent.

However, people WILL make fun of you or giggle that you speak with a deajeon accent.

Seoul has the standard accent and is ussually used when making korean speaking tapes and CDs.

If you are going to learn Korean, best to learn the Seoulite accent.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

Seoul and Daejeon accents are very different. The Seoul accent is (of course) the standard accent.

Answer 6

i'm no longer Korean, yet grew up in a multi-lingual family members so i will relate on your undertaking. do no longer hassle approximately what ppl in PI pronounced - do no longer they have an accessory? a terrific variety of people make relaxing of persons with accents, yet whilst they attempt to talk in yet another language i'm useful that theirs comes out (as i'm useful you have observed many do no longer even make the attempt)

Answer 7

There isn't a standard accent, but the most common is Seoul's.

Busan has a large population that will tell you theirs is the standard Korean accent.

Answer 8

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