Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sjk1128]

I just had a class in which my (fairly advanced) students were confused, and I wasn't sure why. I've run into this problem before. Help me if you have a better way to explain this.

In a partner exercise in the book, a series of situations is presented. The students are meant to discuss each situation taking on the roles of A and B, then check and correct information. For example

A
1. You have a problem. Your dad died a month ago, and you need more time off work now to help your mom, but your boss doesn't want to give it to you. Ask your coworker for advice.
2. Your car broke down and now you have to take the subway to work. Talk to your friend about it.

B
1. You heard that your coworker is being lazy and pretending he has to miss work because his dad died a month ago.
2. You heard your friend crashed his car while driving drunk. Now he has to take the subway to work.

Usually, I tell my students that "you" means you (and I point at them). Still, many, if not most of them, get confused. One of my students told me that in Korean a similar situation would be presented either impersonally, with "A" and "B" (가, 나, 다), or in first person, "I have a problem." (I/ 나=the reader)

I guess I've always taken it for granted that writing represents communciation from the author to the reader so that "I," when it is found, would mean the writer and "you" would mean the reader. This seems totally different somehow in Korean. Does anybody have a handle on this and how it can be easily explained to Korean students? They understand all the vocabulary and structures involved but get completely confused by the person. Therefore, I wind up spending most of an hour reminding them who is meant by each pronoun or reference rather than focusing on language for checking and correcting information.

[andrewchon]

I don't think this is a simple problem.
I can think of two ways they can have confusion:
1. It's a two step process of transfering idea from 2nd to 1st person and then another transferance to a 3rd person. So the task is overly complex for L2.
or
2. Korean language usually avoids using personal pronouns. 2nd person pronoun is usually used only in informal dialogue. I agree they'll be more comfortable using A and B, i.e. both parties being 3rd persons or putting them in 'us' setting, i.e. "We have a problem."

[The Gipkik]

Ask the students to imagine that you're a movie director. You are going to give each student a simple role to play. Pick a few of the best students and give it a go: You are a police man. You are a bank robber. You are a bank teller. You are a little old lady. Etc.

It's like giving instructions. You listen to the teacher. You obey the rules and you will have a good time.

And I imagine there are many examples of interactions that really can't be translated. That's why we're here. Don't use the situation as a means of translating, either. Keep it strictly L2.