Korean Job Discussion Forums

chronicpride · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

If you don't understand any of the cultural significance that Confucianism has on the relationships of Korean culture and, as a result, the concept of jeondaemal and banmal within their language, then please don't preach a second about understanding the honorifics of their language. A true intermediate level would know these linguistic idiosyncracies. Hell, even a high beginner. And without question, someone of that level knows how to read Korean. 'Pam mal' is maybe how it sounds when said quickly. But anyone that knows how to read and write it, knows it as 'ban mal'.

mithridates · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 4:43 pm Post subject:

I've never had a problem with panmal and so-on - I actually never used it much in Japan because I lived in Fukuoka and everybody just talks in a dialect there instead of polite vs. nonpolite, but the concept of panmal and jondaemal isn't that difficult. Just think of an equivalent phrase in English to understand it, ie
'ssup boss

versus

morning! or good morning sir!

I consider learning languages to be one of the most worthwhile tasks a person can do. I've been studying Norwegian for almost a month now and it's easy. Learning Japanese and Korean involves creating a whole new grammatical and linguistic structure inside one's head but Norwegian is pretty much just replacing one word with another and doesn't feel the same at all. Anyone who has spent enough time to learn Korean (coming from an English base) deserves respect in my opinion.

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

Matesol, I'm also fairly sure you don't have an intermediate level of Korean. There is almost no way you could go that far in Korean if you feel that way about it. Intermediate level speakers can can communicate extremely well, but aren't fluent. I now consider myself to be intermediate level, and I have spent a huge amount of time studying Korean, even as a full time student for several months.

gi66y, and brad pitt avatar guy/gal (can't remember your name right now Embarassed

), nice to be on the same page with you two! Won't restate what you've already said, but I agree with all of it.

Actually, I find it easier to say something gently and politely in Korean than in English sometimes. Once you get used to speaking Korean on a daily basis, it can be hard to communicate solely in English. I'd rather say, "�� " in a polite tone than "Please don't do that," as I find the former to be more respectful. In English, we have to speak soooo carefully and tone can easily be misread, especially among strangers.

Honestly, I don't like the tendency for wives to speak more respectfully to their husbands than the reverse, but this is also changing with time, and varies from couple to couple. This is the ONLY problem that I have with levels of speech in Korean and it would in NO WAY deter me from studying the language!

waggo · Joined: 18 May 2003 Location: pusan baby!

I do find the aggressive posturing sound of Korean men very grating ........."ahhh(whistling) shiibal!"

But if I was back in a bar back home listening to some moron constantly cursing I guess I would feel the same.

insamsaram · Joined: 16 Jul 2004

my personal experience is that it has made coming here very comfortable. i have only been here two weeks, but the Koreans treat me totally different than the rest of the foreign staff whom they tend to shun (mostly because for whatever reason they refuse to learn any Korean).
Instead of hanging out with the teachers, I go out with the Korean administrators and members of the business office. They have already (without my asking) offered to set me up with a private teaching visa and get me part time work in my neighborhood if I want.
I'm not sure if I will do it but the point is they treat me like family, and I truly believe that it is only because i can use some Korean.
When I meet koreans when out and about the town, they seem amazed that i can communicate in Korean. I studied for a couple of years before coming here hoping that it would prepare me. Some teachers at the school have been here years and know about squat. If I were going to travel to a place for a week I would want to learn all the basics of the language. These people live here and refuse to do it. They may be satisfied with their lives here, but there is no doubt that the experience would be entirely different.
I can not comprehend not trying to learn it. Korean is very easy to learn. It is the most predictable language I have ever encountered and is beautiful in every way.

jazblanc77 · Joined: 22 Feb 2004

Cheonmunka · Joined: 04 Jun 2004

Sometimes people have said things about me under their breath, or when see me, start talking about Western people, perhaps in their personal spheres. Sometimes I have a chance to say something to them, for example when two women started talking about a Korean girl having a pretty hard time in the US with her Western husband, how he was hitting her and stuff, well, I felt embarrased. Later the women didn't know they had to transfer the bus, so I had my chance to say to them how the bus only goes to this stop and they have to transfer here. They were surprised and would have realised that I was embarrased by being a Westerner, too, lumped by association. When a man was muttering about �� foreigners and getting in my face, It diffussed him when I asked him, politely, "What are you talking about?". He couldn't say it anymore, knowing that I had understood, and had to say something nice.
I have had people say bad things about foreigners (me) and within earshot, but taking the good with the bad, many more good things were said and that made me happy.
I think learning the language is important if you intend to stay in Korea a longish time. It's helpful.

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Cedar · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 3:19 pm Post subject:

I love being able to use Korean. Every aspect of my life in Korea is enriched. I have more friends, more fun, I learn more, understand more, have more opportunities to do/see/learn/experience just about anything you can imagine.

As to how Korean sounds... well, someone mentioned a whine. This is common in the spoken Korean of women from the Gyeongsangdo region... Daegu/Busan and surroundings (more strongly Daegu). It bothered me, many years ago, but then it doesn't if you get to understand it. As to Korean sounding harsh, I just don't get that. I think it sounds good, and the verb conjugation, when I first got here, made me feel like people kept rhyming. So I guess it's a question of attitude more than anything.

Banmal-- well, if someone says something to you in Banmal and this makes you legitimately uncomfortable (you are close in age or older, your status in society is higher), in Korean culture it is PERFECTLY appropriate to ask them why they are speaking Banmal. You can do this directly or indirectly. I have asked people before "Is it your habit to speak to everyone in Banmal?" or "Would you be more comfortable if I spoke to you in Banmal as well?" Socially this manages to get past an uncomfortable place. However, often Koreans speak Banmal to a foreigner because-- this is how you speak to people who can't understand perfectly, like little kids. Some Koreans actually (incorrectly) assume that understanding spoken Banmal is easier for us just cause it's a bit shorter and sparser. Unfortunately, since we normally learn start with respectful language, it's usually more difficult instead of easier.

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

Good point Cedar. I actually haven't found many people use banmal with me inappropriately, but when they do, it is usually to make it easier (but it doesn't, as you said.) Well put.

mithridates · Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2004 6:31 pm Post subject:

Now that I think about it I do remember some people talking about me before they knew that I spoke Korean...two girls sitting next to me as I was eating who commented me on my looks. I'd type what they said but I'm on a Mac, *^&%^*%!!!!!!

chal saenggyosso
Is that right? I've never learned Korean romanization before. Besides that I've never heard anyone talk bad about me, nor during the two years in Japan either.