Urimalsaem: The Collaborative Open Source Korean Language Dictionary
Language is a living, breathing entity that evolves every single day. As new trends emerge and social shifts occur, the vocabulary we use changes to reflect our modern reality. To capture this rapid evolution, the National Institute of Korean Language (NIKL) launched Urimalsaem, an online, open-source, and collaborative Korean language dictionary.
Unlike traditional dictionaries that may struggle to keep pace with the speed of modern speech, Urimalsaem is designed to be a dynamic resource. It serves as a vital repository for the nuances of the Korean language, ensuring that even the most fleeting linguistic trends are documented for future study.
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Key Facts
- Launched: October 5, 2016
- Owner: National Institute of Korean Language (South Korea)
- Initial Content: 1,109,722 headwords
- Primary Focus: Neologisms, jargon, colloquialisms, and dialects
- License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Korea (CC BY-SA 2.0 KR)
- Model: Collaborative open source with professional review
A Dynamic Approach to Lexicography
Urimalsaem was created to solve a specific problem in linguistics: the difficulty of capturing neologisms (newly coined words), technical jargon, colloquial expressions, and regional dialects. Previously, researchers relied on automated tools to scan news articles for new terms, but these methods often suffered from low accuracy and high rates of false positives.
By utilizing a collaborative model, Urimalsaem allows anyone to contribute to the dictionary. However, it maintains high academic standards through a rigorous review process. While any user can propose an edit, registered reviewers—typically lexicographers (specialists in the making of dictionaries) or linguists—must approve the changes. These experts ensure that duplicate definitions are removed and that terms are properly formalized before they appear on the public site.
This structured approach distinguishes Urimalsaem from other platforms like the Naver Open Dictionary (NOD). While the NOD functions more like a casual repository similar to Urban Dictionary, Urimalsaem maintains a level of professional rigor suitable for linguistic study.
Comparative Performance and Linguistic Depth
Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of Urimalsaem in tracking the evolution of the Korean language. A 2020 study comparing various resources found that Urimalsaem was more effective at capturing neologisms than the Naver Open Dictionary (NOD), the Standard Korean Language Dictionary (SKLD), and the Korea University Korean Dictionary (KUKD) for nearly every year studied between 2005 and 2018.
One notable example of its success was its ability to uniquely capture terms like "Pence-rule" (펜스 룰), a term arising from controversial statements made by former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. Beyond modern slang, Urimalsaem is also unique for its inclusion of archaic words (words no longer in common use) and terms specific to North Korean usage, providing a comprehensive view of the Korean linguistic landscape.
| Feature | Urimalsaem | Naver Open Dictionary (NOD) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Formalized open-source dictionary | Casual user-generated definitions |
| Review Process | Expert lexicographers and linguists | User-driven/Casual |
| Neologism Capture | High accuracy and specialized | High volume but less formal |
| Content Scope | Includes dialects, archaic, and North Korean terms | Primarily modern colloquialisms |
Usage and Licensing
Because Urimalsaem is an open-source project, its content is highly accessible. Most content is provided under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Korea (CC BY-SA 2.0 KR) license. This means that users are free to use the material, including for commercial purposes, provided they give proper attribution and share any transformed versions under the same license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can contribute to Urimalsaem?
Anyone can contribute to the dictionary. However, to ensure accuracy, all proposed edits must be reviewed and approved by registered experts, such as linguists or lexicographers, before they are published.
How does Urimalsaem differ from the Naver Open Dictionary?
While the Naver Open Dictionary allows for multiple duplicate entries and casual definitions, Urimalsaem uses professional reviewers to formalize terms and remove duplicates, making it a more structured linguistic resource.
What types of words does Urimalsaem specialize in?
Urimalsaem specializes in capturing neologisms, jargon, colloquial expressions, regional dialects, archaic words, and North Korean vocabulary.
Can I use Urimalsaem content for commercial projects?
Yes, the content is generally offered under the CC BY-SA 2.0 KR license, which allows for commercial use as long as you provide appropriate attribution and share your work under the same license.
Is Urimalsaem a government-run project?
Yes, it is owned and operated by the National Institute of Korean Language (NIKL), a South Korean government agency.