Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smee]

Hi, I'm introducing my students to writing, and I'm starting with their names. What's the proper way to romanize 이? I sort of dislike "Lee" and "Yi," because they're misleading, but I don't know any better.

Thanks.

[Pak Yu Man]

Sometimes it can't be done. After a while you just learn to read it the way it's pronounced in Korean.

Park-pak
Woo-oo
Lee-e

Hell I wouldn't know how to spell some of the in Korean. Or just save yourself the proble and learn enought Korean to read names.

[Smee]

Actually I can read Korean. My question is, how would I write "이" in English. I'd personally choose "Yi," but I want something that's consistant. If you look around you see lots of people who have chosen "Lee," and I don't want to confuse my students.


Anyone else have an answe?

[mateomiguel]

I'm always tempted to go with the spanish pronunciation and just go with a Y. It looks so noble standing there all alone. or two i's, Ii. ii. or E.

[gang ah jee]

Lee, Li, Rhee or Yi. Their romanised names are already in their passports and other official records so just let the Lees be.

But here's an answer. 'Ee' is the only possible way to get English speakers to approximate the Korean pronunciation without prior knowledge, and even that is likely to get mangled.

[ajuma]

Someone once told me that the reason for the "L" part of 이 has something to do with the way that it's written in Chinese...not sure if it's true or not...