Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tomato]

Hello, Sliver!

When did I say that no Korean ever speaks to me in Korean?
If I ever said such a thing, I retract it.

There are two classes of Koreans with whom I feel quite comfortable: children, and speakers of Korean sign language.

children

In the nature-nurture question, I am sure that tribalism can be attributed to some of each. People can't be born with indelible steretypes against me.

During my free time at the �п�, my classroom is a gathering place for the math students from the other half of the building. They play Korean songs on my xylophone, they look at my Korean picture books, they ask me about Korean sign language, they write on the blackboard, and I look up all the words which I don't know. They call me names like �ٺ� and ��û�� so I chase and tickle them.

Meanwhile, the Korean teachers treat me as if all foreigners were Bokanovsky twins. They consistently speak to me in English because I'm too stupid to know what �����մϴ� and �ȳ� �ϼ��� mean. When visitors come to the school, the Korean teachers see to it that I don't get within ten feet of the visitors. On a rare occasion when a visitor does speak to me in Korean, the Korean teachers jump right in and translate for me. The Korean teachers don't come into my classroom and they are not welcome there.

speakers of Korean sign language

I very diligently study Korean sign language, but I know very little at this point. Apparently,though, I know enough to convince people that I'm not a Bokanovsky twin. When I attend sign language class at the local ����� ��ȸ, I get in and out of the place without hearing so much as a "Glad to meet you."

The ����� ��ȸ puts on a program every November. Last November, it was attended by hundred of people, both deaf and hearing. I got through the entire event without ever once being asked, "Can I help you?" I left the program feeling very pleased with myself because I even managed to communicate a few messages to �ѱ� �����'s in �ѱ� ��ȭ.

Sliver, I think it is wonderful that you have become so proficient in the Korean language. I also think it is wonderful that you have become so comfortable in Korean culture. However, I think it would be even more wonderful if you could be smart without being smart-aleck.

[sid]

I am surprised that you get so many people insisting on speaking English to you, especially in Cheongju. In my time there I had people chatting away to me in Korean from the time I first started showing some signs of competence, including co-workers, visitors to the school, restaurant/bar workers and just about anyone.

Perhaps it's just a respect thing for the older gentleman?

[tomato]

[Sliver]

I usually don't get involved in arguments on a discussion board and the reason I don't post often is because of people like you tomato.

All I did was state my opinion on your semantic analysis of the Korean you sited, tried to, in an itellectual way (in respect to you because I have seen your website and know you are a dedicated teacher and language learner) discuss the issues you raised in your post, agree with another poster that some of your ideals could be construed as ego-centric ( an issue you could reply to), show you that sometimes I have the same frustration as you (check the link in my post) and then wished you good luck as the final thing I wrote.

You called me a smart-aleck.

Thanks

[tomato]

Sliver, maybe you're right.

[just because]