Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ilsanman]

Do you love Konglish?

[spliff]

I'm sick and tired of this bullsh1t...

[denistron]

Spliff, do you mean this topic or actual Konglish?

I for one hate Konglish. I wonder everyday why Koreans aren't more embarrased of it. Sorry, I would write more but I have to go to a promise at my friend's pension.

[Ginormousaurus]

I love it when I'm studying Korean.

I hate it when I'm teaching English.

[Guri Guy]

I love Konglish. In 50 years, Korean will be nothing but Konglish so I will be fluent. Hee hee.

[Homer]

Who cares....

[kat2]

Well, I hate Konglish b/c Koreans are always trying to tell me that Konglish words are the same as the English word. Sorry, but thats not true.

On the other hand, it makes it much easier to figure out Korean.

However, Ireally miss how much bad English there was when I first came here 4 years ago. The comedy factor has gone way down as they have started to improve English on signs, notebooks, brochures, etc. What a shame...

[Demophobe]

I wonder if anyone here knows what Konglish is.

[jaganath69]

I wonder if the Normans wondered around England complaining about the natives' use of Franglais in the 11th Century?

[Qinella]

[Ilsanman]

I hate it since I have to re-teach it.

I have had students talk to me about S-lines, stand (stand-up lamp), knit (knitted sweater), etc.

The part that irks me is when I correct them, they look at me like I'm some freak, and tell me, 'no, this (konglish term) is correct. The media told me so'.

[Demophobe]

[ifa79]

I taught a few lessons on Konglish clarifications. It's debatable but I believe there are a few types of Konglish:

1- Korean words that come from English (or other European) words but have evolved to mean something different in Korean. ex: "talant" = celebrity/star, villa = low-rise apartment, arbeit = part-time job, sharp = mechanical pencil

2- Now there are all the "new" words that are completely Korean. They are just based on English words and you have to teach that people outside Korea would not understand. Ex: officetel (mixed residential/commercial apartment building), s-line (a woman's curves), and handphone

3- Some people call the bad and crazy English signs and advertisments Konglish. Not sure. I just say it's bad English and the stuff on the T-shirts and the notebooks are just there for the English letters and words.

NOT KONGLISH:
English loanwords. These are just words that Koreans borrowed from English--- hotel, ice cream, camera, radio. The pronounciation might be a little off but it is no diferent than us saying depot, kindergarten, rodeo, pizza, jihad or baton. Most of English is borrowed. Koreans have borrowed a lot of their vocabulary from Chinese and adapted some of it. Now they are absorbing English.

ANyway, make sure your kids know that Konglish is part of the Korean language and not to be confused with English. Sometimes I fall into the trap of using Konglish words because it is easier for them to understand. I have to remember my job and only use Konglish on the street.

[Jeremiah]

I see too many english letters in Korea, IT'S NOT RIGHT, use bloody han gul. Han gul is so easy to learn, I learnt it in a few hours. However, I guess it takes a lot of practise before reading quickly. BUt come on, at least try...

Let's eradicate Konglish now people!

[Scotticus]

Speaking of mispronunciations:

I'd like to go on record as saying that I can't stand people who pronounce fillet phonetically (fill-it) instead of the correct way (fill-ae).

... now back to your regularly scheduled thread.