Borrowings from English into world languages occur globally, propelled by English’s dominance in technology, media, and commerce.

Commonly borrowed terms relate to innovation, lifestyle, and business, seen in languages such as Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish, and Turkish.

This borrowing reflects cultural exchanges but also raises concerns about linguistic sovereignty and identity, prompting government intervention in several countries.

France is a notable case where language borrowing is actively regulated.

The 1994 Toubon Law mandates the use of French in government, advertising, workplaces, and commercial contracts, explicitly aiming to limit excessive foreign, especially English, loanwords.

The Académie Française, France's official language authority, promotes French equivalents for new terms and oversees language standardization.

Non-compliance with the law can lead to penalties.

These efforts are driven by fears of cultural erosion and the dominance of English as a global lingua franca, although public reception is mixed, with some viewing such measures as protectionist.

In Quebec, the Office québécois de la langue française enforces similar policies under the Charter of the French Language.

Quebec’s laws are stricter, requiring French use in signage, education, media, and government to preserve francophone culture within a largely English-speaking environment.

This reflects a strong sociopolitical motivation to protect the French language from English influence.

Turkey’s language policies also illustrate active intervention, especially from the early 20th century, where language reforms aimed at purifying Turkish by replacing foreign borrowings—including English and previously Arabic and Persian words—with Turkish neologisms.

This was part of a broader nation-building effort linking language to national identity.

Spanish-speaking countries commonly adopt English loanwords related to technology and youth culture such as “marketing,” “online,” and “email.”

Borrowings from English into world languages occur globally, propelled by English’s dominance in technology, media, and commerce.

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Content: Sunday Literature ‧ Literature in the Cellular: The Literary Politics of Israel
Post Date: October 22, 2023
On the West Bank, in the outer city west of Ramallah, a Palestinian town, there is a small hill called Al Rabweh at the end of Tokyo Street, where Mahmoud Darwish, a Palestinian national poet, is buried.
Tokyo Street is named because the local cultural center was funded by the Japanese government.
This is according to the famous British art critic, John Berger.
At that cultural center, Darvish recited the last poems of his life.
Before long he was buried on this mountain, although he had said he wanted to be buried in Galilee, his birthplace.
Tens of thousands of people came to the funeral, and his elderly mother addressed the people.
“He ’ s the son of all of you, ” she said, piercing Berg ’ s heart.
As an important cultural figure of the Marxist left in the Anglo-American world, Berg regarded the poet's death as a pain that must touch the hearts and minds of the Palestinian people.
“What are we talking about when we talk about dead or murdered relatives? ” he suddenly asked.
On the deserted hill, he tried to recall the sound of Darvish ’ s poetry.
His voice was like a beekeeper, so calm, like a passage from his famous poem Mural:
A stone box.
The living and the dead move in the dry clay.
Like a bee in a nest.
When the siege tightens, they go on hunger strike.
Request an emergency exit from the sea.
Since the establishment of the Jewish state in Israel in 1948, the Palestinians have been bees in hives, living in ever-tightening nests.
At one end of the Gaza corridor is the vast Mediterranean Sea.
But to the request, the sea always responds in silence.
Love of the Land: Beekeepers and Honeysuckers
In 2000, Yossi Sarid, then Israel ’ s Minister of Education and Culture, tried to introduce several of Darwish ’ s poems into Israel ’ s high Chinese language curriculum, which met with strong opposition from right-wing members of the Knesset.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak had to compromise, declaring that Israel was “not ready ” to accept Darvish ’ s globally acclaimed poetry.
And by not ready, I mean that there will never be a ready day.
The truth is that since the Jews began to move into this land in large numbers in 1948, Israel and Palestine have engaged in an endless territorial dispute, as well as a cultural dispute over the land.
For conflicts, the mainstream media in the West often takes sides.
This is why we often see news in the media, such as the terrorist attack by the extremist group Hamas, or how the Israeli side uses the Iron Dome missile defense system to intercept each other ’ s missiles.
At first glance, the Palestinians are always on the side of the attack.
However, when it comes to culture and art, you often hear a different argument.
Mainly, there are a lot of Western culture people like John.
Berg, like many others, is a proponent of left-wing ideas, and so references to the literature of the land usually begin with the great Darvish, then often the Syrian poet Adonis in the neighboring Arab region; to say, from Israel, often heard writing about Kibbutz communism, supporting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to achieve peace and opposing the construction of Israeli settlements. The writer, Amos.
"Amos Oz".
But when Darvish talks about poetry here, he will first mention the Hebrew poet Yehuda Amichai.
The two differed on their positions, but he was full of respect for the Jewish national poet, who was older than himself.
As he says: Ameehe ’ s poetry is “a challenge to me because we write in the same place. ”
He wanted the landscape and history to stand on his side, on my ruined identity.
And so we compete with each other: who is the master of the language of this land?
Who loves this land more?
Who writes better? "When people have different imaginations and different love for the same land, it makes a keen poet reflect on his own country.
Born in Germany, he moved to Jerusalem at a young age, fought against Nazi Germany in World War II, and then fought in the Palestine War from 1947 to 1949.
Amichai ’ s poems are often about war, and images of violence are always filled with them.
But in many works, a poem called "In the Apple" instead describes the plain, violence of life to the fullest (although the poet himself is not necessarily aware of this):
You come to visit the apple.
Together, we listened to the knife.
One by one, carefully,
So as not to break the skin.
You talk to me. I believe in your voice.
A painful lump.
Like real honey.
Condensed into wax in the nest.
I touch your lips with my fingers:
It is also a prediction.
And your lips are red, like burning fields.
It's black.
It's all true.
You came to visit the apple.
And you will be with me among the apples.
Until the knife is done.
Who do you and I represent in the poem? This land is like an apple, and we all live together in this apple, which is being peeled by a knife and waiting to become sweet food on the table.
However, it is ironic that Amee uses the metaphor of a honeycomb and honey to remind us of the situation of a honeycomb in Dalvish poetry.
“Intense lumps / like real honey / coagulated into wax lumps in the hive.
In the Jewish tradition of the New Year (Rosh Hashanah), people dip apples into honey, but here we think of others who bring sweet honey to themselves, but bear sharp pain.
This calm violence is punctuated by the last line of the poem: "You come to visit the apple / And you will stay with me in the apple / Until the knife has finished its work."
It is also out of love for a land, but the image transformed by love is very different.
NIKABA: The Struggle Between Facts and Ideology
Also in 2000, the Lebanese novelist Elias Khoury won the Prize of Palestine for his historical novel Gate of the Sun, about the destruction of Palestinian villages by Israel in 1948.
But from the Israeli side, the novel is nothing more than an unfair historical narrative.
As historian Tom Segev has argued, fiction is a means by which authors attempt to invade facts with literature.
Currie ’ s response is also very clear, directly stating the political implications of the art of fiction: “Literature is not, and cannot be, a historical reference, and all novels and poems involving the nakba are not documents, whether from Israel or Palestine. ”
But they can be seen as a mirror of a situation in the ideological scene. "The word" niqaba ", in Arabic, means disaster, in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, refers to the 1948 Palestinian war, and the subsequent seizure of nearly 80% of its territorial sovereignty, and the historical event of about 700,000 Palestinians fleeing or exiled.
In Curry ’ s eyes, this was all the iron truth that had happened.
The more the mainstream media in the West turns a deaf ear to the background of the Palestinians, the novelist can only hold a magnifying glass to illuminate the mirror of ideology.
The difference in ideology itself has the ability to explain the disputes between literature.
Members of the right wing of the Knesset cannot accept Darvish ’ s poetry precisely because of their fear of literature as an ideological weapon.
Darvish, who was a child at the time, was a victim of Niqaba, who said in his article “Not to Begin at the End ” that Niqaba“ is an extended present and will never die in the future. ”
Darvish was the one who was present, and his poems wanted to perpetuate that presence.
So it ’ s easy to imagine how, on the Israeli side, a few of the poet ’ s poems are enough of a threat to shake up the legitimacy of a regime.
In the context of strong nationalism, the political issues involved in literature became extraordinarily sensitive.
The inclusion of Darvish ’ s poetry in the teaching may be a disguised acknowledgement of Israel ’ s atrocities from 1948 to the present day.
Israel ’ s founding as a nation through the Holocaust in Nazi Germany is reminiscent of the intense public debate in which former victims suddenly become perpetrators.
However, on the other hand, the then Minister of Education and Culture and the Prime Minister were politically left-leaning, believing that the Israeli people should be more tolerant of Palestinian literature, and even understand the voices of different positions in the same land.
Darvish ’ s poetry was influenced by the Hebrew poet Ameeh, who, as he put it, was a poetic contest for love of the land; but at the same time, the contest was founded by the interweaving of Arabic and Hebrew in the land.
Unknown language:
"The Arabic Language"
Today, after most of the centuries-old conflict in Israel and Palestine, it is generally believed that there are two large groups of Hebrew-speaking Jews and Arab-speaking Arabs.
However, the truth is that the two languages have influenced each other since ancient times, and the way they intersect reflects the power structures of both sides.
In this area of research, the scholar Lital Levy (Lital Levy) has expressed a thought-provoking observation with the experience of a movie broadcast conference.
In 2009, Ajami, a film co-directed by a Palestinian director and an Israeli Jewish director, was widely praised by both Israelis and Palestinians for its portrayal of real life, which earned local and international acclaim.
The film tells the story of the dependence of Palestinians and Jews on each other in the crime-ridden Jaffa neighborhood.
Jaffa is a historic city located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv ’ s metropolis.
Naturally, the film is meant to show the real Palestinian community, political tensions, and the police ’ s abuse of violence.
However, behind the apparently clichéd discourse, what really surprised Israeli Jews was the fluid and unfamiliar language of the film ’ s characters.
Many of the Jews of this land, the so-called “majority ”, never spoke to Palestinians and did not understand the language of their place of residence.
In the cinema, they were shocked to hear familiar Hebrew words seamlessly interspersed in unfamiliar, unintelligible, yet word-by-word Arabic.
At the same time, some bilingual speakers responded to the hilarious dialogue with laughter, but more unknown Hebrew speakers responded with silence.
It is an embarrassment to one's own language as a powerful person.
The title of the film is "Ajami", which is Arabic, meaning foreign and unfamiliar, and seems to have a pun on its own.
In the land of Palestine, Hebrew appeared as a foreign language, but in the eyes of those who spoke Hebrew as a native language, the native language was used by others and transformed into unfamiliar, unrecognizable words.
Some linguists call it Arabebrew.
Interestingly, when the Palestinians in the film talk to the Jews, they immediately switch to Hebrew.
Levy says this is a linguistic phenomenon known as code-switching, which occurs in an asymmetrical relationship between the speaker.
As a politically and socially powerless language, all Palestinians speak at least Arabic and Hebrew; but conversely in everyday life, Jews speak only one language.
In other parts of the world, we can find a lot of examples: in today ’ s world of English as a language hegemony, almost all languages are mixed with English words; in countries in the Balkans, there are a lot of words brought from Turkey; in North Africa, almost all languages are a mixture of French and Arabic.
Or take the example of our own culture, before the economic take-off of mainland China, there are many examples of Cantonese language borrowed by Putonghua, and in recent years, it is more common for Putonghua words to be translated into Cantonese.
This is the result of cultural power substitution.
However, from a more optimistic point of view, we can at least see the consensus between languages.
Levy cites the Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin ’ s The Translator ’ s Task to illustrate the invisible interplay between languages.
When Hebrew was translated into Arabic, the original Hebrew language underwent a reverse linguistic transformation.
The reason is that when it is assumed that the meaning of words can be transferred, it is necessary to assume the existence of the intangible commonality and translatability of the two languages, which he calls “pure language. ”
This philosophy, and I can not help but think of the literature produced in the nest.
Honey is formed by bees traveling between flowers and plants, collecting pollen and extracting nutrients.
That in itself is a transformation.
With regard to the conflict between land and culture, one must have an awareness that everything here has never belonged to any of us, it has been taken from outside.
Or, as in the last lines of Darvish ’ s Mural:
Absurd. Now there's a slight wound in his arm.
History laughs at it as a victim.
And its hero...
Just glanced at them and walked away.
The sea is mine.
The air of the sea is mine.
My name is —
If I misread the coffin...
It's mine.
As for me -
Full of reasons to leave -
I'm not mine.
I'm not mine.
I'm not mine.
WEN • Lentils
Art • CHUNG Kam Wing
Editors • Chow Ling Pu
Email • literature @ mingpao.com
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Related Words: War Yehuda Amichai Israel Lentils Sunday Literature Palestine Mahmoud Darwish Daily Ming Pao - Culture

Commonly borrowed terms relate to innovation, lifestyle, and business, seen in languages such as Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish, and Turkish.

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The Modern Significance of New English Words and Hot Words of the Year
In the past 30 years, with the development and innovation of computer information, network, communication, financial technology and medicine, our society has formed various forms of digitalization in life, and further digital transformation and digital disruption, its progress has exceeded our imagination. And...
The frequency of vax use increased by 72 times during epidemic period
Many English dictionaries, such as the Oxford English Dictionary, the Cambridge English Dictionary, the Macmillan English Dictionary, and others, record and publish each year the words or new words commonly used by people during the year, or buzzwords, which give us an understanding of the changes caused by the times and social changes. Because of this, cultural change or integration, we can also see the direction of new knowledge and new technology.
The most obvious is that the Oxford English Dictionary found that the word vax (i.e. vaccination, vaccination or vaccination) has increased the frequency of use by a factor of 72 due to the outbreak of COVID-19, which has resulted in the word being selected as the Oxford English Dictionary ’ s 2021 buzzword.
The frequency of Covid-19 related words has also increased significantly in 2020 and 2021, such as pandemic, COVID-19, lockdown, social distancing, mask-wearing, quarantine at home, working from home (or WFH). The use of words such as "work from home" has increased significantly.
These annual buzzwords show the dramatic changes in the way people live, work and interact in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has chosen gaslighting as its word of the year for 2022.
Literally, this may seem like a confusing word, but if someone familiar with an old British film or stage play sees gaslighting, they immediately think of the film (stage play) Gas Light (this is British dramatist Partrick Hamilton ’ s 1938 play Gas Light) and the impressive “gas light effect ” in the film.
The word has actually become a psychological term used to describe the victim's loss of confidence and self-doubt due to long-term emotional and psychological manipulation, which is the artificial control of the victim by constantly distorting the facts, known as gaslighting.
Why did Webster choose this word as the hot word of 2022?
Because in 2022 the word in the publisher's website query frequency soared by 1740%!
However, this high frequency is not due to the occurrence of a single event (such as COVID-19), but the word is queried by many people every day.
The publisher believes that it may be because our times and society are full of misinformation, fake news, Twitter trolls, deepfake technologies, etc., which make gaslighting a hot word of the year, and the modern society produces so much gaslighting, mainly because of new technology and media coupled with more complex human and human relationships and Political relationships (such as social media, groups, political parties), and new technologies (such as deep pseudo, artificial intelligence, deep learning) are being used in the wrong direction.
The New Normal: The World After the Epidemic
Even the European and American media often use the so-called "new normal" (ie, the new normal) to describe the world after the baptism of the epidemic.
The "new normal" was originally used to describe life after the 2008 financial tsunami or the 2012 global economic recession, when the economy seemed to be back to normal, in fact, people's life is no longer the old life, but after the economic impact of a new normal life.
Now the new normal refers to people after the COVID-19 epidemic, although gradually unsealed, but life has produced many changes, such as people-to-people communication and interaction, various social activities, shopping, business models, work models, the company's office mechanism and management, and the digital transformation of the industry, are no longer the same as before the epidemic.
For example, the rise of the delivery service industry, people are used to various digital payment methods to pay and pay.
The decline of physical stores and restaurants has replaced the lifestyle of online shopping, take-out, and delivery.
Contactless has become the standard of interaction or transaction, so the rapid rise of various contactless payment forms has also caused the impact of technology on finance and markets, and financial technology (fintech) has become a new phenomenon.
We are becoming familiar with the names of touch ID, face ID, third party payment, cloud, carrier, etc.
Because of digital accounts and online banking, people no longer need to go to the bank often, and do not need to use cash or write checks; transfer or pay, as long as the mobile phone can be slippery, one-click solution, the epidemic has accelerated the demand, development and application of these new technologies.
New words are created and frequently used under these new life patterns and behaviors.
The rise of social media.
Perhaps it is the sociality of people and the need for emotional release windows, when social media emerged, people fell madly in love with these can express their emotions and opinions about appearance (or perhaps a desire to “perform ”?), but can not directly face other people ’ s media.
The use of social media conforms to the principle of non-contact, but can communicate and share personal experiences and opinions; does not need to face people or crowds, but has the effect of stimulating the crowd; in addition, there can be multiple and real-time presentation (text, pictures, video), so this is also the best place to create and use new words.
Words commonly used to describe social media activities or behaviors include:
Post (a message)
Posting (Posting message)
check in check in
Blog (voice blog)
(Personal website in the form of an online diary)
story Limited-time dynamic
data volume Network volume
fan / follower
Comment Message
like Praise
follow / unfollow
Track / Cancel Tracking
emoticon / emoji
The new language of social media has a number of features in common, including:
1. Tone and emotion are expressed in text mode.
Plain text posts, in addition to the commonly used um (well), oh (oh), yeah (ye), etc., in ordinary oral conversation, due to the need to express more of the various emotions of the poster, so a lot of vocal phrases, such as weee (means cheering), boooo (means boooo), meh (means not interested, not how), eww (means bad), hmm (and hesitated).
In very short alphabetical forms, such as TTYL (talk to you later), IDK (I don ’ t know), BTW (by the way), TBH (to be honest), and so on.
Expressed in emojis (emojis or emoticons), new emojis are constantly created, each vivid and lifelike, and endearing.
4. Expression in multiple ways, in addition to text, with sounds or images, such as emojis containing words and actions.
Korean Wave Ends Cultural Exchange
The emergence of new words often shows the changes and exchanges of world culture.
The development of the Internet has brought about wonderful cultural exchanges and changes between people and people far away. For example, Korean dramas have made a huge cultural impact by providing video streaming services directly to people in different countries through the Netflix network.
Among them, the popularity of the Korean series “Squid Game ”, launched in 2021, is No. 1 in many non-Korean video markets, and has also created many topics and discussions.
In addition to fame and fortune, we can also observe that many Korean dramas on Netflix have generated interest in Korean culture and customs around the world, especially in English-speaking countries.
The Oxford English Dictionary added 26 Korean-derived English words to its latest edition last September, noting that everyone is now on the cusp of hallyu, especially in film, music, fashion and language.
These Korean-derived English words that have become popular in recent years include Korean food such as banchan, bulgogi, kimbap, japchae, chimaek (fried chicken and beer), entertainment such as k-drama, mukbang, etc. manhwa (Korean comics), k-pop (Korean pop music), and other aspects such as fighting.
These Korean-derived English words prove that vocabulary innovation is no longer limited to traditional English centers in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The significance of Korean culture is the cultural exchange achieved through popular Korean music, television, film and food. The exchange and absorption of these cultures are gradually manifested in the country of language, which is a more peaceful and beautiful phenomenon than the previous methods of war, conquest, colonization and so on.
The Korean film Parasite, released in 2016, caused widespread discussion around the world, mainly because of the film's trans-social theme of social inequality caused by capitalism, which makes the film's strong black taunts and thrilling tricks equally felt by people of all cultures.
South Korean music "Gangnam Style" was the best-selling single in South Korea in 2012. As its music videos swept the world, the song also topped the music charts in many countries, including France, Germany, Italy, England, Spain and Canada.
The song ’ s catchy beat and fun performance by South Korean singer PSY represent a world trend in electronic music and dance, but it also satirizes the lives of those who are obsessed with money and vanity in Gangnam, South Korea.
New technology creates new words
Most of the new words are related to the innovation or development of new technologies. In recent years, the knowledge and technology of the Internet and artificial intelligence have been continuously innovated and applied in various industries, so that the new words related to the information technology (IT) industry have been expanding.
For example, as everyone knows, many people also use Facebook, Facebook's company changed its name to Meta, in order to declare that the company will develop virtual world technology in the future, hoping to use artificial intelligence (AI, or artificial intelligence), 5G, virtual reality (VR, or virtual reality) and augmented reality (AR, or augmented reality). Such technology allows humans to combine the real world and the virtual world.
Meta comes from Metaverse, verse means universe, meta means beyond, in other words, beyond the real world to create a new universe with new technology.
Dreams come true, new horizons emerge
The development of the metaverse is just the beginning, requiring more time and technology, plus imagination and resources, to bear fruit.
But there are many things that were only a dream a while ago that have come true, such as cardless withdrawals, digital banks, unmanned stores, paperless (such as email, text messages, reports, receipts, signatures, etc., which no longer need to be presented in writing). Technology, and even new industries have created many new words. With these words, we often talk about “smart ” (smart or intelligent) in newspapers and magazines, such as smart car, smart home, smart office, smart manufacturing, etc., and these dreams are mostly based on new technologies (including the Internet). With the development of networking, wireless communication, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, computer vision, voice recognition, mobile control, and so on, new words in these fields have sprung up and become widely used.
In terms of shopping that is closely related to the lives of most of us, Uniform Superstore launched its first unmanned store X-STORE in 2018 (although there are still service staff in some areas), combining many new technologies and equipment, including identification, electronic tags, self-checkout, and smart technology equipment (such as FUN). Remote temperature monitoring, inventory control system, etc., create a new retail (new retail) shopping environment.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and the Internet of Vehicles (Vehicles to Everything, or V2X) are two other new terms commonly used in newspapers and magazines.
In addition, brand applications (app), e-commerce (e commerce), platform (platform), POS (point of sale) system and other new words are the words that have increased in frequency recently.
Extending New Ideas with Existing Words
We can ’ t help but wonder how new words or hot words are formed.
We are most familiar with borrowing words, or loanwords, that is to borrow words that are already in other languages, such as Chinese blogs, blogs from English, Chinese cool, and English cool.
Second, combine existing words (generating new word combinations), such as shrinkflation = shrink + inflation, sponsor + content, or fintech = finance technology, to express new phenomena and things, or new meanings.
The use of acronyms is also a common pattern for new words, such as COVID-19 (= coronavirus disease 2019), AI (= artificial intelligence), IT (= information technology).
Transliteration is often used in foreign languages in English, such as the previously mentioned words hallyu, banchan, and bulgogi, which are transliteration of the original Korean words.
What is more worthy of our attention is that many new words or hot words are actually new meanings or contexts in existing words, especially new words on the Internet or social media, which often reflect the era or social significance. For example:
traffic (traffic)
website traffic (network traffic)
Incubation (Incubation)
Incubation period (incubation period)
herd (herd)
herd immunity
The cloud (cloud)
Cloud computing (Cloud computing)
slash (slash)
slashie (slanted family)
The virus (virus)
virus (spread as quickly as a virus on social media)
Catfish People who cheat on social networking sites with fake profiles
The rapid changes in technology both confuse us and excite us, and we experience many things in our lifetime that were previously unimaginable, and we cannot help but feel the diversity of human life.
Not long ago sorting out the old things at home, found that there are many 3.5-inch disks and video tapes stored before retirement. Compared to now, even the invoices are in the cloud, like we made a big dream of Li Bo, after 20 years of dreaming, found that the world has been completely different, in order not to miss the world and life that are changing so fast, we must strive to learn a new language, in order to connect new technology and integrate into the new life mode And...
(This article is reproduced from the Joint Supplement)
Social Media Outbreak Movies
The last one.
Guess what it ’ s like to read a book.
The next one.
Cover Story / The Story of Chinese in Irvine Blows Up the Heat of History
Extended reading
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This borrowing reflects cultural exchanges but also raises concerns about linguistic sovereignty and identity, prompting government intervention in several countries.

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Content: Foreign words may not always be appropriate in your speech.
Sometimes it is better to prefer the words of the native language.
What borrowings should be replaced, will tell 24 Channel.
See also This is an argument: why these foreign words should be replaced by Ukrainian
What foreign language words to replace Ukrainian
In the twenty-first collection, we offer you a dozen more borrowings, which can be replaced by words from nightingale.
And also beautiful our matches, which you can replace the words in foreign languages.
• parameter – world, value;
• mentality – description of mislennya;
• parity – rivnist;
• speaker – river;
• Distillation – purification;
• international – international;
• manager – manager;
• sociology – knowledge;
• forum – forum;
• nuances – subtlety.

France is a notable case where language borrowing is actively regulated.

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Content: The most important languages in the world
(Explanation - Unsplash)
How many languages are there in the world today?
The number of languages spoken in the world today is estimated at 7,100.
However, the number of people who speak these languages varies greatly, with documents recording that only eight people on the planet speak Boso, for example, yet it is considered one of the world's spoken languages.
At the same time, languages are spoken by millions, if not billions, and are preferred languages for learning as a second language.
How many languages have we spoken since the dawn of civilization?
It may be impossible to answer this question because languages are always evolving and branching out into other languages and because many languages are considered dead.
In general, the death of languages is associated with the extinction of a civilization or the annihilation of a people.
Political factors are also considered one of the most important factors affecting the death of languages, as happened during the Spanish invasion of the Incas and Aztecs in the continent of South America, where the authorities imposed on the local population to speak Spanish and considered speaking the mother tongue of these peoples a crime punishable by law.
Latin Language
Latin may be the most famous of the dead languages, although many academics and lovers of ancient languages are learning it.
Although this ancient language died, it has made a significant impact on many languages spoken today, such as English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
Did you know that today we use some words taken from Latin during our regular conversation?
The word "tomato" is commonly used for tomatoes in a number of countries.
If the word tomato is very similar in terms of the English and French pronunciation of this word, where did the tomato come from?
In fact, the word "tomato" is Latin in origin, namely Pomodoro.
What is the most important language in the world?
English is part of the Germanic language family and the Indo-European language branch and is the most widely learned second language in the world.
English is a mixture of a range of languages and civilizations that have influenced it and some may think that this indicates the lack of heritage or weakness of this language and its need to derive and borrow from other languages, but this is precisely what made the English language withstand the times and take the lead in terms of its importance and the number of speakers and students.
English is also known as Lingua Franca.
Why is English the most important language in the world?
Technology and the Internet
The most important feature of the English language is that it is renewable and can invent new words and terms on a daily basis, especially since it is the official language of the Internet since its emergence and spread.
As evidence of the use of English terms for scientific and technological inventions, we can list some of the technological English terms that we use automatically in our daily lives, such as:
• USB
• CPU
• Formate
• Monitor
• Download
English is the language of films.
There is no doubt that the lead in terms of film production goes to Hollywood and its huge productions of series and films.
It is true that all of these works can be dubbed or translated into any language in the world, but the experience of seeing and understanding directly in the mother tongue of these works is more interesting and closer to the intent and meaning of the writer, director and actors.
Famous English Literary Works
Of course, each civilization has its own literary and poetic compositions, which can be considered as masterpieces that embody the reality or the past, the thinking, the national spirit or the deep feelings of the writer and his people.
However, one of the most famous writers in the world and throughout history spoke English: William Shakespeare.
It is undeniable that the English language itself has changed since the days of Shakespeare and that some of these changes have been applied to his literary works, so we may notice a slight difference between the rhymes due to the change in the way of spelling and even pronunciation.
However, Shakespeare ’ s works attract literature lovers from around the world, as well as a large number of works by other English and American writers.
Above all, many literary works written in languages other than English are translated into English.
That is, you don ’ t have to learn Japanese, for example, to read the Japanese myths that are available in English.
English Language of Travel
It is comforting to the soul that wherever man travels and travels the country, he can resort to one language that must be understood by those around him.
We note that tourists, regardless of their mother tongue, home country or location, usually try to speak English with residents and usually manage to achieve some form of communication with them.
Linguistic statistics
To clarify the ranking of the most important languages in the world, the following table shows the number of speakers of each mother tongue and second language and the total number of speakers in the world.
Arrangement
Language:
Number of native speakers
Number of speakers as a second language
Total Speakers
1
Anglican
372.9 million
1.080 billion
1.452 billion
2.
Mandarin Chinese, including official Chinese, not other dialects and spoken languages
929.0 Millions
198.7 million
1.118 billion
3.
Indian except Urdu
343.9 million
258.3 million
602.2 million
4
SPANISH
474.7 million
73.6 million
548.3 million
5.
FRENCH
79.9 million
194.2 million
274.1 million
6.
Standard Arabic Language
Unspecified
274.0 million
274.0 million
7.
Bengali
233.7 million
39.0 million
272.7 million
8.
russian
154.0 million
104.1 million
258.2 million
9.
Portuguese
232.4 million
25.2 million
257.7 million
10.
Urdu without Hindi
70.2 million
161.0 million
231.3 million
The following table shows the percentage of the world's population in terms of speakers of each of the most widely spoken languages in the world.
Arrangement
Language:
Proportion of global language speakers
1
Anglican
16.5%
2.
Chinese Mandarin
14.6%
3.
Indian
8.3%
4
SPANISH
7.0%
5.
FRENCH
3.6%
5.
ARABIC
3.6%
7.
Bengali
3.4%
7.
russian
3.4%
9.
Portuguese
3.3%
10.
indonesian
2.6%
Arab Podcast 48

The 1994 Toubon Law mandates the use of French in government, advertising, workplaces, and commercial contracts, explicitly aiming to limit excessive foreign, especially English, loanwords.

The Académie Française, France's official language authority, promotes French equivalents for new terms and oversees language standardization.

Non-compliance with the law can lead to penalties.

Title:

Content: To the New Frontiers: Spikai in Russian
Being in large cities, we all pay attention to the signs of shops, restaurants, cafes, firms and other institutions, the names of which are often written in English or the Latin alphabet.
What does this so-called street language mean?
.
Here, for example, on the sign of the restaurant at the top you can see the inscription in Russian - restaurant.
And below - the English letters BOLSHOI.
For what?
Yes, English is recognized as an official language, as a consequence of the colonialist policy of Great Britain, in almost 60 countries of the world.
It seems that Russia is falling into his linguistic bondage.
A particularly powerful onslaught of Anglicisms has become in recent decades due to the mass impact of TV, the Internet: the sphere of the Russian language has become rapidly filled with Anglo-American words and terms.
In fact, it is dangerous not to notice this, because language is the foundation of the culture of any nation, on which generation after generation they create a home of their spirituality.
For thousands of years, our language has absorbed Greek and Latin, Turkic and Polish, Dutch and German, French and English words.
Sometimes the process of borrowing went very quickly, as, for example, in the time of Peter the Great.
But even then, the danger of excessive fascination with foreign words was not forgotten.
The same Peter strictly admonished his ambassador: "... henceforth his relays to us to write everything in the Russian language...".
The struggle for the preservation of the Russian language acquired a special scope in the 19th century.
“To use a foreign word when there is a Russian word equivalent to it, ” wrote V.G. Belinsky,“ is to offend both common sense and common taste. ”
He was echoed by I.S. Turgenev: “Never use foreign words.
The Russian language is so rich and flexible that we have nothing to take from those who are poorer than us. ”
Now, the further, the wider the so-called runglish – an ugly mixture of Russian and English.
It is not surprising that a generation is growing up in Russia, for which the texts written by Pushkin, Chekhov, Bunin become incomprehensible.
Under these conditions, in 2005, the parliament adopted and President Putin signed the law “On the State Language of the Russian Federation ”.
It is aimed at ensuring the use of the state language and the protection and development of language culture.
The aggression of Anglicisms has since weakened, but not so much that one can calm down.
The law is not properly enforced.
That ’ s why we read on the signs: FARШ butcher shop, EXTRIMLAND adventure park, and on children ’ s T-shirts: “Speak in Russian ”.
Author: T.
RAISWICH.
Newspaper "To New Frontiers"

These efforts are driven by fears of cultural erosion and the dominance of English as a global lingua franca, although public reception is mixed, with some viewing such measures as protectionist.

In Quebec, the Office québécois de la langue française enforces similar policies under the Charter of the French Language.

Quebec’s laws are stricter, requiring French use in signage, education, media, and government to preserve francophone culture within a largely English-speaking environment.

This reflects a strong sociopolitical motivation to protect the French language from English influence.

Title:

Content: city news Yelets, news Yelets, Yelets news, Yelets newspaper, Red banner
Better than any passport.
0 0
The Russian government has submitted to the state Duma a bill to protect the Russian language from excessive use of foreign words.
The document implies control over the observance by officials and citizens of the norms of the Russian literary language and the inadmissibility of the use of foreign words, with the exception of those that do not have common analogues in the Russian language.
"Wet feet"
by "toptalische"
Fighters for the purity of the native language waited, because the discussion about it among linguists, writers, scientists goes on constantly, then quiet, then flaring up with renewed vigor.
The initiative of the Government of Russia, which decided to wedge itself into the disputes of professionals, is quite understandable and understandable.
Today, when the United States and the entire Western world are in a rush to destroy, eradicate, wipe out all Russian, the frequent use of Anglicisms in everyday life is at least unpatriotic.
In fairness, it should be noted that borrowing from other languages is a constant process.
Lenin also proposed "to declare war on the use of foreign words unnecessarily", and the intricacies of relations and mutual accusations of Slavophiles and Westerners entered the textbooks, as well as the textbook proposals to replace other people's "galoshes" with their "wet feet", and "sidewalks" - with "toptalisches".
In the 1940s, a new wave: the struggle against cosmopolitanism suggested “for everything Russian against foreign ”, including in the language.
A printer is a printer?
Meanwhile, all – both supporters and opponents – agree that there are concepts in their native language that came after the phenomena, realities created in other countries, and therefore the words denoting them, well, not ours, but they can not do without them.
A striking example is the computer, IT technologies and everything related to them.
The word “printer ” cannot be replaced by a Russian translation from English, since“ printer ” does not mean a device for printing, but a person engaged in this process.
By the way, this phenomenon is not new: even under Peter I, who “cut through the window to Europe ”, dozens of Dutch and German words for technologies and mechanisms poured into Russia.
And in opera, many terms are borrowed from Italian and have long been part of the Russian language.
And we calmly use such words as “federation ”,“ sphere ”, “national ”,“ commission ” and many others that came from foreign languages, but are firmly entrenched in our own.
How to be
in one bow
Meanwhile, one cannot but agree with the authors of the bill: recently, the speech of deputies of different ranks, officials, political and economic experts, heads of federal and regional, and sometimes local authorities is simply replete with foreign words that have simple and understandable analogues in their native language.
And if we are almost reconciled with merchandisers (commodity scientists in our own way), then what do you think of the expression from the fashion world “in one bow ”?
The well-known vegetable has nothing to do with it: in English look - look, therefore, in Russian it is an image, appearance, look, etc. In texts related to business, "marketplace" (literally from the English place of trade), as well as "startup" (start, start, take the first steps) or "webinar" (training video conference live).
In the field of education, they like to talk about “bullying prevention ”: this word means ridicule, bullying of children at school by peers.
Increasingly, “campus ” sounds, while the translation from Latin is a familiar campus for many of us, or“ coach ” instead of the usual “coach ”,“ mentor ”.
Abilympics
with WorldSkills
I will also swing at my favorite “quest ” recently: again with the English“ game, search ”.
I do not like the sequestered budget, because it is “cut ”, but transparent is more to my liking, because it is“ open ”, “transparent ”.
And who will prove to me that “exchange of practices ” is better than the usual“ exchange of experience ”?
Or for days on TV reported about the participation of Russians in the championship "Abilympics".
You will break the language by pronouncing, although this is only a competition in professional skills among the disabled, in another way they are also called the “Olympics of opportunities ”.
From the same series, the widely distributed “WorldSkills ” (WorldSkills) is also a competition, but students studying a particular profession.
We have such competitions took place in the times of the USSR, then they were safely forgotten, and now they are back again, only in a Western manner.
And here is another illustrative example: the all-Russian social project “Agrofoodsharing ”.
We divide abracadabra into parts: agro - of course, something related to agriculture.
In English, food – food, share – share.
As a result, we get a movement of agricultural producers who want to share with other people the surplus of their crops.
The idea, of course, is good, right, but why break the language?
And finally from the sore: "solving cases." Brilliant!
In English, the word “case ” has two meanings: a briefcase, a suitcase and the second – circumstances.
Therefore, in Russian literally "the decision of circumstances" or, as the know-it-all Internet interprets, "the study of the situation and the choice of a suitable solution."
They will leave themselves
on your own?
Most likely, the desire to cleanse the language by introducing a law at the state level is an attempt to distance oneself from the West, its influence, to isolate oneself from someone else ’ s and alien mentality, lifestyle and dubious values.
However, it is not very clear what it will look like in practice: will there be lists of prohibited words and expressions or just recommendations, and addressed to high-ranking officials and other “persons in the TV ” – after all, it is with their filing that all sorts of newfangled borrowings from foreign languages often go“ to people ”.
However, a few decades ago, our teachers at the Yelets Pedagogical Institute hammered us, students, that the language is a self-cleaning system, and all harmful, fake after a while will simply disappear.
It has always been so, and I want to believe it will be so.
KSTATI:
I assume that all borrowings are from our haste, eternal saving of time even on pronunciation and writing of words.
We usually write in sms a short, indifferent “OK ”.
While in the native language for this almost a dozen words: “good ”,“ okay ”, “agree ”,“ give ”, “let ”,“ good ”, etc. No wonder there is a catch phrase: “Speech is better than any passport ”...
Tatyana SHCHERBATYKH
VRF News

Turkey’s language policies also illustrate active intervention, especially from the early 20th century, where language reforms aimed at purifying Turkish by replacing foreign borrowings—including English and previously Arabic and Persian words—with Turkish neologisms.

This was part of a broader nation-building effort linking language to national identity.

Spanish-speaking countries commonly adopt English loanwords related to technology and youth culture such as “marketing,” “online,” and “email.”


Korean skin care's global popularity stems from a distinctive philosophy that emphasizes prevention, hydration, and gentle maintenance rather than aggressive treatment.

Central to the Korean approach is the goal of achieving "glass skin," characterized by a luminous, healthy, and dewy complexion.

This contrasts with conventional Western routines, which often focus on correction through harsher exfoliation or treatment of specific issues.

Korean products commonly use gentle actives such as polyhydroxy acids for mild exfoliation, ceramides for barrier support, and natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like centella asiatica and niacinamide.

Unique components like snail mucin, rice extract, and bee propolis provide moisturizing and protective benefits, reinforcing skin barrier health.

The Korean philosophy encourages multi-step routines that layer hydration and nourishment, often beginning with gentle cleansers and culminating in broad-spectrum sun protection used year-round.

The approach treats skin like delicate baby skin and incorporates traditional herbal medicine-based ingredients ("hanbang"), reflecting a cultural mindset where skin care is seen as a preventative necessity rather than occasional luxury .

Scientific studies and expert commentary support the effectiveness of key Korean skin care ingredients.

For example, polyhydroxy acids have been shown to exfoliate skin gently with less irritation than stronger acids, improving skin texture and brightness.

Ceramides contribute significantly to restoring the skin’s natural barrier and hydration levels, while anti-inflammatory agents like niacinamide reduce redness and pigmentation.

Clinical data confirm these benefits, explaining the favorable consumer experiences.

Additionally, multi-step routines emphasizing hydration and barrier protection have been linked to improved skin health and resilience in dermatological research.

The international boom of Korean skin care has been propelled by several converging factors.

Korean skin care's global popularity stems from a distinctive philosophy that emphasizes prevention, hydration, and gentle maintenance rather than aggressive treatment.

Title:

Content: What's Hot

The Best Korean Skin Care Product Brands For 2024

K-beauty products have slowly risen to trend, becoming bestsellers on almost all e-commerce platforms. So what is all the hype about? Let us break it down for you along with the best Korean skin care brands below.

Best Skin Care Product Brands Photo: Amazon

Korean people are renowned for their sought-after "glass skin" appearance. With a growing emphasis on skin health, many consumers are turning to the best Korean skincare products for its use of natural ingredients such as ginseng and rice water, along with reliable staples like retinol, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. From cleansers and moisturisers to face masks and serums, Korean skincare brands provide options for every budget and skin type.

Be it if you have oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, Korean brands offer a diverse range of products tailored to address specific issues like acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, and hydration. This versatility has made Korean skincare a favourite among beauty enthusiasts seeking effective solutions at various price points.

To simplify your search for the ideal skincare regimen, we've curated a list of some of the best Korean skincare products and brands below.

Whether you prioritise gentle formulations, anti-aging benefits, or hydration, these recommendations will help you discover a brand that aligns perfectly with your skincare needs and goals. Explore the world of Korean skincare and achieve radiant, healthy-looking skin with products trusted by millions worldwide.

How to choose the best Korean skincare products

  • Identify Your Skin Type: Determine whether your skin is oily, dry, combination, sensitive, or acne-prone. Korean skincare offers targeted products for each type.

  • Understand Your Skin Concerns: Whether it's acne, aging signs, hyperpigmentation, or dehydration, prioritise products designed to address your specific concerns.

  • Read Ingredient Lists: Look for key ingredients like hyaluronic acid for hydration, niacinamide for brightening, and tea tree oil for acne-prone skin. Avoid products with potentially irritating ingredients if you have sensitive skin.

  • Consider Product Texture: Choose textures that suit your preferences and needs—whether lightweight gels for oily skin or rich creams for dry skin.

  • Check for Certifications: Look for certifications like K-Beauty or EWG Verified, ensuring products meet certain safety and quality standards.

  • Trial Sizes and Patch Tests: Start with trial sizes or samples when possible to test compatibility with your skin. Conduct patch tests to avoid adverse reactions.

  • Create a Routine: Build a comprehensive skincare routine that includes cleansing, toning, treating (with serums or essences), moisturising, and sun protection, tailored to your skin's needs and concerns.

How we chose these brands for you

  • Effectiveness: Each brand was evaluated for the efficacy of its products in addressing various skin concerns such as acne, aging, hydration, and sensitivity.

  • Customer Reviews: Insights from real users helped gauge overall satisfaction, product performance, and consistency in delivering promised results.

  • Brand Reputation: We considered the reputation and trustworthiness of each brand within the skincare community, focusing on their commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

  • Value for Money: We assessed the pricing relative to the quality and benefits offered by each brand, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.

  • Ethical Standards: Brands that uphold ethical standards in sourcing ingredients, manufacturing processes, and sustainability practices were given preference.

Below is a comprehensive list of best Korean skin care brands

  1. Glow Recipe

Glow Recipe Photo: Amazon

Glow Recipe is a beloved Korean skincare brand known for its innovative and fruit-forward products. If you're wondering whether it's a good fit for your skin type, you're in luck—Glow Recipe caters to a variety of skin types, from dry and sensitive to oily and combination.

Their product range is extensive, featuring everything from cleansers and toners to serums, moisturisers, and masks. Popular items include the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask and the Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream. These products are formulated with gentle yet effective ingredients like watermelon, avocado, and hyaluronic acid, which are designed to nourish and hydrate the skin without irritation.

This brand has carved out a strong position in the market, often praised for its fun, colourful packaging and effective formulations. The brand enjoys a solid reputation, frequently highlighted in beauty magazines and loved by influencers.

Products from Glow Recipe worth the hype

2, ILLIYOON

ILLIYOON Photo: Amazon

ILLIYOON is a rising star in the Korean skincare scene, known for its focus on gentle yet effective formulations suitable for sensitive skin types. Their product range spans from basic skincare essentials to targeted treatments, making it a go-to brand for those seeking simplicity and effectiveness.

The brand emphasises natural ingredients known for their soothing and moisturising properties, such as ceramides, panthenol (provitamin B5), and madecassoside (derived from centella asiatica). These ingredients help strengthen the skin barrier, hydrate deeply, and calm irritation—ideal for sensitive and dry skin types.

While perhaps not as widely recognized as some major Korean beauty brands, ILLIYOON is dermatologically tested, ensuring safety and efficacy for various skin types, reflecting its commitment to quality and skin-friendly formulations. Feedback from users often highlights the brand’s ability to soothe sensitive skin, reduce redness, and provide long-lasting hydration.

Some of the best products from ILLIYOON range

3. COSRX

COSRX Photo: Amazon

Established in 2014, COSRX has quickly gained a strong reputation among skincare enthusiasts and professionals alike. Their products are often clinically evaluated and tested, ensuring safety and efficacy. They're particularly beneficial for acne-prone, oily, combination, and sensitive skin types, thanks to their gentle yet effective formulations.

They prioritise using minimal ingredients and focus on scientifically-backed actives that deliver results without unnecessary additives.

Their range includes essentials like cleansers, toners, exfoliants (like the popular BHA Blackhead Power Liquid), serums (such as the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence), moisturisers, and acne treatments. COSRX products are formulated with key ingredients like snail mucin, Centella Asiatica, AHA/BHA acids, and propolis, targeting issues such as acne, aging, and uneven skin tone.

The brand's straightforward approach and affordable pricing make it a favourite among those looking for reliable skincare solutions backed by science.

Popular product from this fast forward rising brand

4. LANEIGE

LANEIGE Photo: Amazon

Users have continually praised LANEIGE for its ability to deliver noticeable improvements in skin hydration and texture. Since its inception it has built a solid reputation for combining scientific research with effective skincare solutions.

Their products feature ingredients like Water Science™ technology, which includes mineral water, hyaluronic acid, and proprietary blends like the Advanced Water Science™ technology found in their Water Bank line. Popular items include the Water Sleeping Mask, Lip Sleeping Mask, and the Cream Skin Refiner, all designed to provide intense hydration and nourishment.

Many appreciate the luxurious feel and effective results of their products, especially the overnight masks which leave skin feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

LANEIGE's commitment to hydration and skincare innovation continues to resonate with customers worldwide, making it a trusted name in the world of Korean beauty.

Their prominent product lineup include

5. belif

belif Photo: Amazon

Belif is a Korean skincare brand that’s revered for its effective solutions, especially for hydration and maintaining a healthy skin barrier. If you're dealing with dryness, dullness, or sensitivity, this brand offers promising remedies.

They cater  to a wide range of skin types, particularly benefiting those with dry, combination, and sensitive skin. Their formulations are free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, appealing to users seeking clean skincare options.

Their lineup includes moisturisers (like the True Cream Aqua Bomb and Moisturizing Bomb), cleansers, serums, masks, and toners. Key ingredients such as comfrey leaf, oats, and calendula help soothe and nourish the skin, while maintaining a gentle approach suitable for sensitive skin types.

The brand continues to be praised for its innovative approach to skincare, making it a favourite among skincare enthusiasts looking for gentle yet powerful solutions.

Standout products include that are under $40

6, innisfree

innisfree Photo: Amazon

Innisfree has cemented its place as a staple in many skincare routines, known for its extensive range of products and dedicated retail outlets worldwide. They offer a diverse array of skincare items including cleansers, toners, essences, serums (such as the Green Tea Seed Serum), moisturizers, masks, and sunscreens.

Their products are formulated with natural ingredients sourced from Korea's pristine Jeju Island, like green tea, volcanic clay, and orchid extracts, catering to a wide spectrum of skin types. The brand is particularly favoured for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices, earning a positive reputation among environmentally conscious consumers.

Founded in 2000, Innisfree has grown into a globally recognized name in skincare, praised for its effective formulations rooted in natural ingredients. Reviews highlight Innisfree's ability to deliver noticeable results, from improved skin texture to enhanced hydration and a healthy glow.

Some staples you should include in your skincare routine

7. AESTURA

AESTURA Photo: Amazon

AESTURA has made a name for itself by focusing on products designed for sensitive and compromised skin. Their offerings cater to individuals who need gentle, soothing care, often including those with conditions like eczema or rosacea. The brand boasts a comprehensive range of products, including cleansers, toners, moisturisers, and specialised treatments.

This brand's products are formulated with dermatologically tested ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and Centella Asiatica, which help to strengthen the skin barrier, provide deep hydration, and soothe irritation.

Their key products, like the Atobarrier 365 Cream and the Theracne 365 Clear Deep Cleansing Foam, are highly regarded for their effectiveness and gentleness.

Feedback highlights the noticeable improvement in skin hydration and overall health, with many appreciating the brand's commitment to gentle yet effective skincare. If you're seeking reliable, dermatologist-approved skincare, AESTURA is definitely worth considering.

Products that may help you achieve that glass skin

AESTURA A-CICA365 Soft Calming Mask Pad

AESTURA A-CICA 365 Calming Cream with Blemish Calming Serum

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes Korean skincare different from Western skincare?

  • Korean skincare emphasises prevention, hydration, and achieving a luminous complexion through consistent and gentle care. It often incorporates innovative ingredients and practices rooted in traditional Korean beauty rituals.

How should I incorporate Korean skincare products into my routine?

  • Start with a basic routine of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, then gradually introduce additional products like serums or masks based on your skin concerns. Consistency and patience are important as your skin adjusts to new products.

Are Korean skincare products suitable for men?

  • Yes, Korean skincare brands often offer gender-neutral or specifically formulated products for men. These products focus on hydration, anti-aging, and soothing properties, catering to the unique needs of male skin.

How long does it take to see results from Korean skincare products?

  • Results from Korean skincare products can vary depending on individual skin types and concerns. Generally, users may notice improvements in hydration and skin texture within a few weeks of consistent use.

What does one mean when they say Korean glass skin?

  • Korean glass skin refers to a skincare trend aimed at achieving a smooth, flawless complexion with a reflective, dewy finish. It involves meticulous hydration, exfoliation, and use of lightweight, hydrating products to enhance skin radiance.

Wrapping up

Korean skincare brands offer a pathway to discovering effective and innovative skincare solutions. With a focus on quality ingredients, gentle formulations, and a rich heritage of skincare wisdom, these brands cater to diverse skin types and concerns. By choosing from our carefully curated list of recommendations, you can tap into a world of skincare known for its commitment to hydration, radiance, and overall skin health. Whether you're seeking to address specific skincare issues or enhance your daily routine, Korean skincare offers a holistic approach that blends tradition with modern science, promising visible results and a renewed sense of confidence in your skin.

Disclaimer: The above content is non-editorial and produced by a third party partner. Outlook India does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of the content*.

*The product prices mentioned in the article are subject to change

Central to the Korean approach is the goal of achieving "glass skin," characterized by a luminous, healthy, and dewy complexion.

This contrasts with conventional Western routines, which often focus on correction through harsher exfoliation or treatment of specific issues.

Title:

Content: Is Korean Skin Care Really Superior? An Investigation

Photographed by Hayleigh Longman
With its shelfie-worthy packaging and a focus on intriguing ingredients like snail mucin and fermented rice water, Korean skincare has been the subject of Western fascination for years. Brands like CosRx, Innisfree, and Laneige have assumed viral social-media status, while Glow Recipe and Dr. Jart+ are now practically household names, thanks to TikTok.
Besides whipping up curiosity, Korean skin care has established a name for itself as one of the most effective and trustworthy categories in beauty. And ahead of winter, it's seeing a serious revival. In the past few weeks, searches for 'Korean skin-care routine', '10-step Korean skin care', and 'best Korean skin-care products' have made up Google's skin-care trends. While on TikTok, the hashtag #koreanskincare has seen a handful of new videos, each raking in millions of views.
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In October, a tweet and TikTok video posted by skin-care blogger @Mul_OVO went viral for showcasing the benefits of switching to Korean skin care. But is Korean skin care really better? Or have we simply got caught up in the hype?
Cosmetic Chemist and Licensed Aesthetician Esther Olu believes our obsession with K-skincare started with 'glass skin' — skin so dewy, it's almost reflective. Olu says that glass skin was the ideal and promoted "healthy-looking" and "luminous" skin standards. "Everyone wanted to have healthy skin," says Olu, "and Korean [skin care] has played a critical role in this mindset."

The Korean approach to skin care is a lot gentler and there is a distinct difference in ingredients lists compared to Western products, which can be harsh.

You could argue that the main intent of skin care everywhere is to promote healthy, happy skin. But there are some key differences. Many Western skin-care trends (such as skin cycling, peels, and rediscovering skin toners) tend to home in on ingredients such as retinol and exfoliating acids, for example glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid. These are great when used properly and sensibly under the guidance of an expert but they can be notoriously irritating when overdone, as many of us tend to do.
Ask any dermatologist to pinpoint common skin gripes they regularly spot in clinic and they'll almost always reel off perioral dermatitis (a red rash that circles your mouth), burns, irritation, dryness, and a compromised skin barrier (redness, tightness, breakouts, rashes) — all a result of overdoing it on harsh ingredients.
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Of course, Korean skin care does feature the aforementioned ingredients. They do work, after all. But the Korean approach seems to be a lot gentler and there is a distinct difference in ingredients lists, too, says Olu. PHAs (polyhydroxy acids) are a lot more popular in Korean skin care, for example. Take Dr. Jart+'s recently launched Pore Remedy range, in which PHAs are the star ingredient. Much like glycolic and salicylic acids, PHAs exfoliate the skin effectively, but what sets them apart from other exfoliators is their large molecule size. They exfoliate at surface level without going too deep and aggravating skin as other acids might. Glow Recipe and CosRx are just a few Korean brands championing them and subsequently promoting a kinder approach to the controversial exfoliation trend.
In fact, Korean skin care has been something of a savior for our irritated skin barriers of late. Much of Korean skin care shines a light on reducing inflammation rather than drying out skin. "Promoting hydration as well as soothing ingredients is a primary focus in Korean skin care," confirms Cosmetic Chemist Ramón Pagán. "This is a contrast to the products we tend to see in the west, which can be more astringent or irritating to the skin with higher percentages of active ingredients."
Pagán explains that thanks to skin-care marketing in the early '00s, the Western approach to skin care has been hooked on stripping skin: getting rid of the 'bad' stuff like excess oil and clogged pores. Conversely, Korean skin care is about nourishing the skin. Reddit's skin-care obsessives concur that Western skin care can be disagreeable, particularly for those with dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin.
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@hkjennylee #greenscreen and not to mention the dupe has bifida as the FIRST ingredient while the original has it as the SECOND… tea 🙈 #koreanskincare #kbeautyblogger #kbeauty #koreanskincareproducts #kbeautyskincare ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Olu seconds this. "Western skin-care products tend to take a corrective approach," she tells R29. "Specifically, the formulas are dedicated to solving a skin-care concern, whether it is retinol, azelaic acid, or BHAs and AHAs," which are different kinds of exfoliating acids. "[Western skin care] is meant to help with anti-aging and things like redness," explains Olu, "while Korean skin care focuses more on maintenance and skin barrier health."
It's why you'll find excellent ingredients, like ceramides (very moisturizing and hold the skin barrier together), centella asiatica aka cica (a herb that decreases inflammation, redness, puffiness, and swelling) and niacinamide (vitamin B3, which keeps the skin barrier intact and reduces excess oil) in most Korean skin care. The color-correcting cream that recently went viral on TikTok? It includes cica — and of course it's Korean.

A reason why Korean skin care is so popular — and so good — is because the Korean government is said to have actively invested in its beauty brands to better develop cosmetics.

Redditors also point out that Korean skin care includes 'special ingredients' and technologies that Western products don't. Snail mucin (excreted from snails) is a popular moisturizing ingredient among Korean brands, with influencers and experts extolling the virtues of products like CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Gel. "This is a great barrier-protecting ingredient," Dr. Kemi Fabusiwa told R29 recently, "but it also gives your skin a great shine."
Then there's allantoin, popular in Korean skin care for locking moisture into the skin, as well as rice extract (said to increase hydration, making skin plump), and bee propolis, a natural substance produced by honey bees that has been proven to smooth skin and protect it from environmental factors, such as pollution.
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Beyond the more skin-friendly and interesting approach to ingredients, it has been reported that Korean beauty and skin care is one of the country's biggest businesses and exports. As the world's third largest cosmetics exporter, South Korea's cosmetics exports outperformed home appliances, pharmaceuticals, and smartphones in 2020. Data also suggests that South Korea's skin-care market will reach $11.4 billion in value by 2026. Interestingly, one of the reasons why Korean skin care is so popular — and so good — is because the Korean government is said to have actively invested in its beauty brands in order to better develop cosmetics.
"When K-beauty was introduced to the Western market through popular channels and social media, a phenomenon was awakened, creating demand and opportunity for business," says Nina Vargas, a global business strategist for beauty, fashion, and wellness brands. "This allowed Korean cosmetics companies to obtain help from the Korea International Trade Association (KITA)." KITA is a nonprofit organization that helps small and medium enterprises enter markets abroad.
What's more, Dr. Jenelle Kim, Founder and Formulator of JBK Wellness Labs, says that Korean skin care uses the latest science to understand exactly what our skin needs. "It utilizes ingredients in new ways, while remaining committed to formulating with centuries-proven ingredients and, for some brands [like Erborian, Sulwhasoo, and Beauty of Joseon], the powers of herbal medicine." Ginseng and green tea are super popular, for example.
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Dr. Kim adds that our skin's needs change with the climate or environmental factors, like air quality, makeup trends, and hormones. Korean skin care has consistently switched things up in an effort to help us stay in balance. Pagán agrees that heritage surrounds Korean skin care. "Lots of brands use 'hanbang' ingredients, which are based around traditional Korean medicine," he says. "These are often herbal and naturally derived." Post-pandemic, when we're more interested than ever in keeping healthy, highlighting medicinal skin care makes Korean products appear trustworthy and effective, elevating them above others.
In short, skin care is an inherent part of Korean culture. Head to TikTok and you'll see that Koreans view beauty not as a luxury but as a necessity. Countless videos suggest that from a young age, people are taught to take care of their skin and to look at skin care as a preventative measure. Year-round sun protection is also a big trend among Korean skin-care lovers, with a high factor, broad spectrum sunscreen said to be one of the most important products in a routine.
Another reason Korean skin care is regarded so highly is because the majority of it is affordable. Head to Reddit and you'll spot skin-care lovers swapping reviews of Innisfree, Tonymoly, and Etude House. The promise of soothed, hydrated skin is their main pull, but so are the relatively low prices, with most cleansers, serums, and creams coming in under $25.
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Amid a cost of living crisis, it makes sense that we want to spend as little as possible on beauty products. When it comes to Korean skin care, though, tightening your purse strings doesn't mean compromising on quality. All the proven skin-care ingredients are there, from retinol to acids, just in gentler concentrations and sophisticated formulas. Some TikTokers even point out that Korean skincare often dupes brands and products that charge hundreds for very similar ingredients and results. "It doesn't matter if you spend $1 or $100. If it's K-Beauty, chances are it's great," thinks Vargas.
Over time, the 10-product routine has given way to routines with fewer steps. Excessive layering doesn't work for everyone, particularly if you have a strict budget or your skin is sensitive, reactive, or acne-prone. But Korean skin care is ever evolving and always adapting to consumer needs. Because of this, three- or four-step routines are now trending among Korean influencers. TikTokers are sharing their easy skin-care rituals, which always start with a gentle, hydrating cleanser followed by a serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. This is a quick and effective routine that dermatologists and skin-care experts often recommend for skin types across the board.
Pagán believes that Korean skin care stays fun and inventive. "It's simple but impactful and you get luxury experiences at affordable prices. You don't see Western brands readily introducing staple Korean concepts, like fermented ingredients or snail secretion." Add to that the serious investment and spotlight on nourishing the skin (rather than getting rid of the 'nasty' stuff) and it's clear to see why Korean skin care is regarded so highly. But is it better? Essentially, the very best skin care is the skin care that works for you. If it happens to be Korean, that's great. But if it's something else entirely, why switch it up?
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This story was originally published on Refinery29UK.
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Korean products commonly use gentle actives such as polyhydroxy acids for mild exfoliation, ceramides for barrier support, and natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like centella asiatica and niacinamide.

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Content: Vegan Skincare ｜ The first lip balm selected by 5 Korean niche organic skincare brands is this
Author: WIW - Women in Work
Published: Updated:
In recent years, this trend of environmental protection, vegan and animal-free experiments has also hit Asia. In Korea, which has always mastered the Asian maintenance trend, natural organic care products have become popular in recent years. These natural brands are widely discussed among Korean girls.
To create flawless skin, you need to pay attention to diet, of course, many have to choose natural and harmless skin care products! Recommended 5 Korean niche organic skin care brands (click to enlarge read) ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
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One Thing
The brand insists on using Korean organic plant extracts, and each lotion launched has only one ingredient, and the pure ingredients allow the skin to get more targeted care.
Each of these plant ingredients will give the skin a different nourishment, and everyone can mix and use according to their own skin.
Because each product has no compound components, only one organic and natural ingredient, it can also be used with other One Thing products.
Melixir
Melixir is a brand focused on vegan ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging, and without any animal testing, all products are PETA certified for global animal protection, plus natural ingredients, even for pregnant women and sensitive skin.
One of the brand's most popular lip balm, once voted the first easy-to-use lip balm by Korean girls, it can also do its part for the earth while protecting the skin.
Abib Cosmetic
The brand name Abib means “cereal ”, which describes the product ’ s adherence to the use of natural, pure extraction ingredients.
There are not too many varieties, but each one is extremely popular, using only pure ingredients, excluding all ingredients that may make the skin affordable, everyone can definitely use peace of mind.
One of the most popular is the “Chewing Gum Mask ”, which contains no harmful ingredients, and is very attentive, which completely fits the skin and tightly locks the care ingredients.
Related articles: Inventory 12 types of pores, moisturizing, oil control, skin care products Kick off oil fields, acne, acne (click to enlarge to read) ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
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Round Lab
Although Round Lab is less well-known in Chinese areas, it has long had a reputation among Korean girls. Its star product, 1025 Dokdo Cosmetics, uses the deep ocean water of 1,500 meters below sea level in Wuling Island, South Korea, which is rich in various mineral ingredients, which can maintain the balance of water and oil in the skin.
Other skincare products also adhere to the use of Korean natural ingredients, the product is mild and also has the effect of calming the skin.
THE LAB by blanc doux
THE LAB blanc doux is the only skin care brand in the market with a patent for small molecule hyaluronic acid products, and has been ranked first in the sales volume of cosmetics on the Korean search engine NAVER.
Its products do not contain any fragrances and preservatives, and are certified by PETA without animal testing, and are certified by EWG green, which is natural and safe.
Its pure white packaging design is simple and elegant, and it is loved at a glance, and its name is actually both external and internal.
Related article ： Skincare ｜ 7 Moisturizing Sprays Powerful Makeup Remover Wearing Masks to Soothe Dry Skin (Click to enlarge) ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
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This article is reproduced under the license of "WIW - Women in Work".
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Unique components like snail mucin, rice extract, and bee propolis provide moisturizing and protective benefits, reinforcing skin barrier health.

The Korean philosophy encourages multi-step routines that layer hydration and nourishment, often beginning with gentle cleansers and culminating in broad-spectrum sun protection used year-round.

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Content: Prestigious position for Korean skincare products in the UAE
Korean skincare products sweep the UAE market
Unique and effective ingredients in the product range drive demand in the UAE and around the world
Retailers in the UAE are seeing a dramatic increase in the sale of Korean beauty products recently.
Along with the wave of popularity of South Korean drama, movies and music, the country ’ s skincare products have also gained prominence.
Shiraz Khan, Chief Operating Officer of Aster GCC Retail, said: “We have observed a significant increase in demand for Korean beauty products, both globally and within the UAE.
At myAster, we saw significant growth of 60 per cent in the first quarter of the year, with skin care and sun protection products being the most sought after, contributing 61 per cent and 38 per cent respectively to our sales. ”
Other retailers have confirmed the growing demand for them.
Jonathan Watts, General Manager of AS Watson, said: “Korean skincare has become a treasure trove in the beauty industry globally and the Middle East is no exception. We have seen a significant rise in Watson this year, with sales doubling so far in 2024, compared to last year. ”
According to e-commerce company Noon, they have taken several steps to meet the growing demand.
Retika Jain, Head of Beauty at Noon, said: “Korean beauty products are seeing huge customer demand from Noon, especially in the skincare and makeup categories, and to meet this growing demand, Noon has partnered with local and Korean vendors to offer original Korean beauty products at very competitive prices, and deliver them quickly. ”
Reasons for fame
There are several reasons for the rise in popularity of Korean beauty products according to experts.
Jonathan Watts said: “Consumers highly value the focus on skin care within Korean cosmetics, as well as the unique and effective ingredients found in the product range.
Ingredients such as Hartlev leaves and snail extract, although unconventional, are effective and gentle on the skin. ”
He said there were other factors that made the skincare package so popular among the younger generation.
He added: “The majority of Korean beauty product brands are not harsh on the skin, and are in line with the growing consumer preference for ethically sourced products.
The influence of TikTok and the boom in Korean pop culture are also major contributors to the phenomenon we see with Korean beauty products. ”
Shiraz Khan
Shiraz said the unique preparation of the products also played an important role in increasing their popularity.
“Innovative formulas, high efficiency and a cultural wave driven by Korean beauty trends through social media and influencers are all factors that have helped their spread. Korean beauty products are known for their advanced skin care techniques and natural ingredients, which attract a wide population looking for effective and gentle skin care solutions, ” he said.
Glassy skin, dewy appearance
Jonathan said that “glass skin ” among Koreans is one of the most desirable things.
“This requires a careful skincare regimen that focuses on hydration, exfoliation and nutrition, areas where Korean beauty brands excel.
Products such as serums, masks, eye masks and extracts with moisturizing ingredients are essential for a vitreous skin appearance. ”
Regardless of the appearance of glassy skin, there are many other common Korean trends.
Retika Jane said: “In double cleansing, an oil cleanser is used, followed by a water cleanser to get clean skin. ”
“The trend of using makeup for both beauty and care has also increased.
Customers want to use clean, multi-purpose products that not only work as a lipstick or dye but also moisturize the skin, contain a sun protection factor (SPF) and provide comprehensive nutrition.
“The ‘ dew ’ look is one of the top trends this year, with a particular focus on glossy lips that look fuller. ”
Demand is expected to continue significantly in the near future.
Shiraz said: “We expect this trend to continue as consumers become increasingly aware of the benefits of Korean beauty products, their popularity is not just a fleeting fad but a testament to their quality and effectiveness in meeting different skin care needs. ”
Jonathan agreed: “Korean beauty is here to stay and is likely to become an integral part of everyone ’ s beauty routine in the future.
Watson currently owns more than 30 Korean beauty brands, and we are expected to launch 10 more this year. ”
Khaleej Times - Arabic Edition
www.khaleejtimes.com

The approach treats skin like delicate baby skin and incorporates traditional herbal medicine-based ingredients ("hanbang"), reflecting a cultural mindset where skin care is seen as a preventative necessity rather than occasional luxury .

Scientific studies and expert commentary support the effectiveness of key Korean skin care ingredients.

For example, polyhydroxy acids have been shown to exfoliate skin gently with less irritation than stronger acids, improving skin texture and brightness.

Ceramides contribute significantly to restoring the skin’s natural barrier and hydration levels, while anti-inflammatory agents like niacinamide reduce redness and pigmentation.

Clinical data confirm these benefits, explaining the favorable consumer experiences.

Additionally, multi-step routines emphasizing hydration and barrier protection have been linked to improved skin health and resilience in dermatological research.

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Content: What is an emulsion and how should it be added to skincare? Explore all the skin benefits of this Korean beauty trend

An emulsion in skincare refers to a lightweight, water-based moisturizer that typically contains a blend of water and oil components. It is a key step in many skincare routines, especially in Korean beauty regimens. They are designed to provide hydration, nourishment, and moisture to the skin without being overly heavy or greasy. They play a crucial role in maintaining skin balance, particularly for individuals with combination or oily skin.

Emulsions in skincare are celebrated for their versatility and compatibility with various skin types. Their formulation strikes a delicate balance, offering both water and oil elements to cater to the diverse needs of the skin.

This balance is particularly advantageous for individuals with combination skin, as these blends can simultaneously hydrate dry areas and control excess oil in others.

The lightweight nature of these blends makes them an essential component in Korean beauty routines, where layering multiple products is a common practice. This step allows users to customize their skincare regimen, addressing specific concerns without burdening the skin with heavy formulations.

How emulsions can be of benefit

They play a pivotal role in fostering a harmonious relationship between hydration and nourishment, contributing to a radiant and well-maintained complexion.

Here's how they work and how they should be added to a skincare routine:

Composition of emulsions:

  1. Water and Oil Blend: these blends contain a balance of water and oil components, usually stabilized by emulsifying agents. This composition makes them suitable for a wide range of skin types.
  2. Lightweight Texture: these blends are lighter than traditional creams and lotions, making them ideal for individuals who want hydration without a heavy feel on the skin.

How to use emulsions in a skincare routine:

  1. Cleansing: Start with a gentle cleanser to clean your face.
  2. Toner: Follow up with a toner to balance the skin's pH levels.
  3. Serum (if applicable): Apply any serums targeting specific skincare concerns.
  4. Emulsion: Apply the mixture as a lightweight moisturizer. Dispense an appropriate amount and gently spread it over your face and neck.
  5. Sunscreen (Daytime): In the morning, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
  6. Night Cream (Nighttime): In the evening, you may choose to follow the mixture with a slightly heavier night cream if your skin needs extra nourishment.

Skin benefits of emulsions in Korean beauty:

  1. Hydration: these blends provide a boost of hydration to the skin, helping to maintain moisture levels.
  2. Nourishment: The oil component in these blends delivers essential nutrients to the skin, promoting a healthy complexion.
  3. Lightweight Texture: Ideal for those who prefer a lightweight feel on the skin, making them suitable for daytime use.
  4. Sebum Control: these mixtures can help regulate excess sebum production, making them beneficial for individuals with oily or combination skin.
  5. Layering: In the multi-step Korean skincare routine, these mixtures serve as a versatile layer between serums and heavier creams.
  6. Preventing Transepidermal Water Loss (TEWL): The emollient properties of these blends help create a barrier on the skin, reducing water loss.
  7. Enhanced Absorption: Applying these blends before heavier creams or occlusive products can enhance the absorption of active ingredients.

It's important to note that skincare is highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's advisable to patch-test new products and observe how your skin responds.

Adjust the use of the mixture based on your skin's needs, climate, and personal preferences.

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Edited by Prem Deshpande

The international boom of Korean skin care has been propelled by several converging factors.