Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Underwaterbob]

So, today one of my less than stellar students comes up to me and asks why I don't have blue eyes since I'm a foreigner and all. I'm having very much trouble explaining to her that not all foreigners have blue eyes, which is something I feel like I shouldn't have to explain. Running out of time, I punch it into Google Translate for her and this is what I get:

English: "Not all foreigners have blue eyes."

Korean: "모든 외국인은 파란 눈이 있습니다."

For those of you who don't know the Hangeul, that translates almost exactly to "All foreigners have blue eyes."

*sigh*

[3DR]

It gives me this:

"일부 외국인 파란 눈을 가졌군요."

[le-paul]

[bluelake]

It's funny what Google Translate will do. The "Korean giggle" (ㅋㅋㅋ) comes out as "blah, blah, blah".

Regarding the "blue-eyed foreigner" bit, it doesn't matter what one's eye color is (mine are brown), as that's what one will be called. I was a bit surprised a few years ago when the narrator of an Arirang show I was in said, "There is a blue-eyed foreigner who is passionate about Korea's gukgung (traditional archery)", referring to me.

[wings]

I have green eyes. My students insist they are blue. They look at my very green eyes and say,"no teacher, not green, blue eyes." Fascinating.

[ajuma]

My eyes are hazel and I make a point (when we're doing appearance and personality) to go around and show every student my eyes. Then it's an exam question! "What color are Teacher's eyes?"

Now, if I could just get them to stop saying that they have BLACK eyes! I've explained and explained but...well...you know!

[YTMND]

How about this one?

서양 사람들은 항상 파란 눈을 가지고 있지 않습니다.

[joelove]

[bluelake]

[ajuma]

Well, the sun is red here...

[yodanole]

The sun IS red, when you've had enough soju the night before.

[Underwaterbob]