Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kermo]

Hello all,
I wrote the following in my blog to try to explain a little about Korean culture and language to my friends and family. I've only been here 5 or 6 months, but I've been studying the language on my own, so I have a pretty sketchy base to work upon.
I'm putting it out here so that you folks can expand upon it or correct it, based on your experience with the language and its relationship to culture. I really appreciate your input, because there's a lot I don't know, but would like to.

[Leslie Cheswyck]

[Leslie Cheswyck]

I love it when Koreans blurt out "Oh my God!"

I sometimes get on them about it.

"Hey, what's this 'Oh, my God'? Is He not OUR God?"

[billybrobby]

It looks very good to me, although I'm no expert either. But if your looking for a word that means "mine" it is ����. and "my" is �� (short for ����, i think) or �� (����). Definitely Korean language is more 'communal' than English, but I think that �츮 stuff is only used when whats mine really is also someone else's. �츮 ����, �츮 �ƹ���, �츮 �б�. I don't think Koreans would ever say �츮 ������ because my spoon isn't yours or anybody else's. Unless they worked for a spoon-making company, in which case they would yak all day about the fine craftsmenship of �츮 ������.

That is a funny example about �츮��. I also don't know what phrase you would use to indicate that the daughter belongs to Mister B. I guess you'd have to approach it from a different angle.

[Gunshake]

Hi kermo,

Well, well, well...

You are a strong proof explaining how much native english teachers can be contributory to the people of korea in terms of cultural awakening as well as the simple function to add some mother tongue touch to their vocal organs when babbling english.

You really deserve the compliments because your approach to the korean language is keenly analytical with the compassion and willingness to unerstand the culture of this country.

[JacktheCat]

Another interesting cultural comparison is the word used to signify an employer in Korean and other languages. It can tell you a lot about employer\employee relationships in that culture.

In English we say boss which means basically "top person" or "first among a group of people."

The Korean word is wonjongnim and basically translates as "little prince."

the Chinese word is laoban which translates as "old tree" or "learned one."

[VanIslander]

I appreciate the op's analysis, but, to make his point, reverse the order of causation:
Culture is an instrument of language.
Learning Korean imparts a worldview and values.
As does the English we are teaching the younger generations.
("Is that book hers? No it's mine.")
The more you learn to speak other languages the more aware you become of the profound differences in culture being inculcated linguistically.

[phaedrus]

....

[kermo]