We’re going to take a look at how to form words like “the Korean language” or “the Japanese language”.  One way to do this is to add 어 with the name of the country:

Korea : 한국.  Korean language : 한국어.

Japan : 일본.  Japanese language : 일본어.

China : 중국.  Chinese language : 중국어.

Italy : 이탈리아.  Italian language : 이탈리아어.

Spain : 스페인.  Spanish language : 스페인어.

Here’s the exception: 영어.  영어 is the Korean word for the English language.  Unfortunately, adding the country America with 어 will not work.  If you were to say 미국어, (미국 = America) you’ll be understood, but nonetheless it’s not correct.  The 영 actually comes from the word England, which is 영국.  That being said, it’s also wrong to say 영국어.  Whether it’s British English, American English, Australian English, etc. it doesn’t matter.  It’s all 영어.

Here’s another way to say “_______ language”.  Add the country with the word 말.

Korea : 한국.  Korean language : 한국 말.

Japan : 일본.  Japanese language : 일본 말.

China : 중국.  Chinese language : 중국 말.

Italy : 이탈리아.  Italian language : 이탈리아 말.

Spain : 스페인.  Spanish language : 스페인 말.

And of course if you want to know how to say “English language” just use 영어.  Don’t use 미국 말 because it sounds uneducated to Korean ears.