Korean Job Discussion Forums

[RACETRAITOR]

Writing from a student:

[Big Mac]

Ummmm....they're using the American spelling of "endeavoring" when the world standard (British English) is "endeavouring?"

It's also kind of a big word for a (presumably) little kid in Korea to use on their own. This is why I hate those little electronic dictionaries they carry around everywhere.

[RACETRAITOR]

[krats1976]

Your thread is seriously mislabelled. This is the problem with learning any second language, not just learning English in Korea.

It's called denotation vs. connotation.

[dogbert]

What is the sentimental attraction to the vestigial "u" in "colour", etc?

[RACETRAITOR]

The problem I'm talking about is studying English with a dictionary. That's how most Koreans do it, because they only want to pass exams, blah blah blah.

I don't understand the need to take out unnecessary letters in words. Why not take the "g" out of "sign" or the "gh" in "thought"? Either way you go, it's pretty arbitrary. The only people who really care are probably Canadians.

[itaewonguy]

is that what english has come down to? ordering a cheese burger and some wings! hahahahaha

[Chillin' Villain]

Yeah, I can't really see any problem with the 'u' versus 'no u' thing... Even though I'm Canadian, I usually teach the 'u-less' spelling of color, neighborhood, etc... Face it, the American way is pretty much the world's standard, and the adherence to using the 'u'- for Canadians at least- is more or less just another silly superficial way of separating ourselves from the States. I still spell stuff with the 'u', but I'd never correct anyone spelling it without- in Canada (where I have taught for a couple years) or anywhere else. I can still remember one of my uni English profs admitting (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) that he spells theatre with the '-re' cuz he's pretentious (haha).

I'd say the only mistake is with the use of 'endeavor' rather than 'try', which I'm guessing the OP is about anyways. Just another pitfall of using the language dictionaries, I guess. I'm decently far enough into Korean, but I still gotta rely on my dictionary for common words now and then, and I unknowingly use overly pompous-sounding words all the time (much to my Korean friends' amusement). The student may or may not be able to actually speak English conversationally, but I wouldn't judge him/her solely on the semi-inappropriate use of one word. It's a common mistake for pretty much any language learner.

[RACETRAITOR]

[bobbyhanlon]

[RACETRAITOR]

[ddeubel]

I think the only problem is using "endeavour" and not "try"......but this is a common problem with students who don't learn English is an English speaking environment.....they lack context and words should always not just have a literal meaning but a contextual one (dictionary/book vs real/ functional use.). I was a copyeditor for a Chinese weekly business magazine for years. Over the internet and the audience was foreign business men. The journalists were Chinese and their English was great BUT what they wrote was just mumbo jumble -- like something that comes out when a software program translates...so I'd read through, get the gist and polish.......despite years of English study they still could not write/use words contextually.

One last comment ------------- RACETRAITOR. Please watch your language and attitude in general....the statement,

[Tiny_Tibbo]

[Return Jones]

Another peculiar item I've come across in Korea is the usage of "elder" vs. "older".

For the past 4 years all of my students have described their older siblings as "elder" sisters and "elder" brothers. Although their usage is correct, I would just use "older". Many of my students have claimed that previous teachers taught "elder" insisting that it was more correct. Personally, growing up in various locations across North America, I have never heard anyone use "elder" in such a way. Sounds awkward to me. Any thoughts?

[peppermint]

I've heard it used, but it sounds a little stuffy from a kid