Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sarbonn]

I recently returned to Korea for the first time in 20 years. I used to have a really good grasp of the language last time around, so I figured picking it back up would be really easy. However, in those 20 years, I also picked up German and Japanese, so whenever I find myself trying to speak Korean, I keep interjecting with Japanese phrases instead, almost as if that's the appropriate phrase. Like, someone asked me a question, and I pointed forward and explained, in Japanese, to go that way. The person just stared at me, blankly, probably thinking, justifiably, that I'm probably a moron for thinking she was Japanese.

Anyone ever come across this where you try to speak on language but another one keeps coming out, constantly? If so, have you found any actual legitimate ways to work around this rather than just repetition until it finally wears off?

[Chet Wautlands]

I'm Canadian and I've been learning French since I was a kid. When i started learning Korean, my French was good enough that I didn't end up using it. However, the other day I was trying to help a friend with their French and I kept using Korean words. I think it's just practice and repetition. How's Japanese compared to Korean? I'd imagine there are a lot of similarities.

[asian sensation]

I have had that same problem, saying Korean words when I was trying to speak Spanish. I would say its normal. Same thing when I was in Brazil with Spanish words and other South American countries and I mix in Portuguese. The longer you are in Korea that will phase out, my opinion at least.

[Lukychrm42]

I've had that experience in other countries, where it seems like you just want to speak the foreign languages you know in whatever foreign land... and it never works!
Just give it some time, and you'll get used to it.
Actually, I heard a coteacher teaching the kids to count in Spanish, which I thought was kinda cool, except the teacher has no knowledge of Spanish! Hehehe.
If anyone knows anyone who speaks Italian or Danish in the vicinity and wants some conversation, please send them my way!

[jkelly80]

Whenever I can't think of a Korean word (about 80% of the time) I'll say something in Spanish.

[PeteJB]

AhaDanish!

[dim_sum]

its all about repetition!
i mean just look @ how these kids are learning english in the classroom .. they are gettin drilled with basic conversation skills!

[prideofidaho]

I've done it in other countries with other languages...sadly my korean skills are opsoyo. I also try and speak louder...like shouting is magically going to help someone understand.

[jkelly80]

[dbmctague]

I feel like whatever L2 comes out is the one you have more passion for.

[i4NI]

[Cedar]

I've had that experience. But on the other hand, it really is just a matter of training yourself. Right now I speak Chinese more often than Korean, even though my Korean is better, sometimes I'll slip into Chinese during a Korean conversation (and occassionally into Korean during a Chinese conversation). It usually happens when it's something that is SO EASY to say in the other language, that it is an almost knee jerk reaction. I'll also switch mid-sentence when I run into an almost identical word.

[Lukychrm42]