Korean Job Discussion Forums

[PeterDragon]

So a Mormon missionary who's been here for almost two years and was semi-fluent in Korean before he even arrived told me something interesting--- he said in Korean culture, there's no such thing as sarcasm.

In some ways, this would explain a lot. I've had a lot of exchanges with Koreans where my sarcastic comments have been met with blank stares or taken literally. I've always assumed that this is because that sarcasm is so deeply rooted in tone of voice, inflection and subtle facial cues that a language barrier can monkey wrench it. Similarly I sometimes missed the sarcasm of my Slovakian cubicle mate at my office job back home.... But upon reflection, my sarcasm falls flat at an almost 100% rate here, so maybe God Boy over at the mission is right.

On the other hand, I have one Korean co-worker/ex-girlfriend* who ALWAYS laughs at my sarcastic comments and makes plenty of sarcastic comments of her own. To top it off, she professes almost no knowledge of Western culture, says I'm the only foreigner she's ever been friends with, and says that in general she dislikes and fears foreigners**. So it stands to reason that either she picked up sarcasm from her own culture or she's a complete anomaly.

So what say you long timers and cultural experts? Does Korea have sarcasm or not?

*Yes I dated a co-worker AND broke up with her amicably--- I'm a lucky bastard.

** In her mind I'm "one of the good ones". Gaining the approval of a xenophobe is a dubious honor, but I tell myself she doesn't know any better.

[mindmetoo]

I've likewise found Koreans have a major blind spot towards sarcasm and even satire.

[captain kirk]

You have to warn them there's a (sarcastic) joking comment coming and then make repairs if they didn't get it.

I hear mockery is the big humour source here. Which is slapstick, in your face, sarcasm.

I've heard folks on Dave's complain about newbs and how they make sarcastic comments seemingly constantly in a nasal tone and this annoyed the *(&%$# out of the vets.

[JustJohn]

Assuming for a that you mean verbal irony (sarcasm is probably the most misunderstood word in the English language), I use it all the time at home but not in Korea and it's precisely because I think they won't get it.

Unfortunately my Korean near good enough to know whether they use it or not, but I haven't heard the tone of voice and reaction that you would expect if they were using it so I'd venture a guess that it's probably rare.

[out of context]

It's not that verbal irony doesn't exist in Korea, though. For example, 잘 했다 and 잘 났다 are frequently used with an ironic sense. I think some of the problem may be that many Westerners use irony to show familiarity, in a way that implies mutual understanding based either in a personal relationship or cultural similarity ("I say A, but you know me, so you know that I don't really believe A and that I really mean B"), and as a result, people who don't know you or your values well will be more likely to take what you say at face value.

[SpiralStaircase]

Not even remotely true.

Sarcasm is a great way to test comprehension. Advanced students will catch it immediately. For example, in my lesson on terrorism last week I asked the class:
"Who is your favorite terrorist and why?"
One student replied,
"OBL because he is a family man, highly motivated, and has a great beard."

Advanced students do and will get it. It's simply a difficult concept when you add a foreign language/culture/worldview into the mix. In fact, sarcasm eludes native speakers as well. I mean come on. Jospeh Smith? Are you kidding me?

[Raptorboy0]

Sarcasm is rampant in Korea. Rampant I tell you. Of course some people are too literal-minded to get your sarcasm, and the typical 20-something north american/western european way of delivering sarcasm in a completely deadpan manner without even a chuckle to indicate that he/she wasn't being completely serious, that doesn't help to break down the language barrier either. I also think whitey's sarcasm is so culturally embedded that there are not so many common social cues by which a korean with modest English-speaking ability might be able to distinguish between the sarcastic and non-sarcastic. Most korean people to whom I've become close, however, have been very receptive to that style of humor once they got to know me. Learning Korean doesn't hurt either.

[moosehead]

[SpiralStaircase]

T: "So... you've been to Japan."
S: "Yes."
T: "How was Dok-do? I hear it's beautiful this time of year."

Great way to start a conversation class at 8:00am. Certainly keeps my co-teachers on their feet.

[ardis]

My students use sarcasm in English all the time. If one of the girls starts to tell a story, but kind of fumbles it or the story isn't that interesting, the others will just jump in with a, "WOW, congratulations!!!! That is is *so* interesting!" They're all friends, though, so it's never done in mean spirits.

[schwa]

I use sarcasm frequently with my middle school students. They pick up on it easily & in fact its a great way to check that they're listening & following me.

A lesson without laughter is a dud.

[Cerriowen]

Depends on the person really.

When I taught adults, I'd say something sarcastically and... in a class of 10... two would understand and laugh, two would be confused and laugh, three would sit there with blank looks and two would try to reason it out with the direct language translation. The last one would proudly announce to the class "She's joking. It is joke, right? We should laugh! It is joke!"

[RACETRAITOR]

[bobbyhanlon]

sarcasm yes definitely, but irony, less so. and not so much in the way of 'banter'..

[ryouga013]