- Fifth Cultural Post: Reflect upon what you have learned about the culture(s) you have been studying.
I think I have learned a lot about South Korean culture from learning the language.
I think one aspect of Korean culture that I have learned from learning Korean is that we are a very observational country. I was talking to Evelyn a few weeks ago about how Koreans have the word 눈치 (noon-chee) to describe subtle and not obvious gestures. We describe one has having 눈치 if they are able to pick up on the small things when speaking to people. We also tease those who don't have 눈치 for being clueless and unobservant.
My theory is that we grew to be this way because of how our hierarchy system was created. We have a hierarchy system of age and merit, and we speak and treat one another based on where we stand in this hierarchy. By having 눈치, we are able to understand who someone is and how to act, thus not disrupting this hierarchy system.
I also learned about how much of our language is influenced by English. I remember learning vocabulary words with Evelyn to find that the Korean word for something is just the English word with a Korean accent. Some examples are tomato, ice cream, broccoli, and the color pink.
Though North and South Korean was the same language at one point, it diverged to the point where language comprehension would be difficult between both countries. Though South Korea has been influenced by America, North Korea has not been. Rather, North Korea has been influenced by Russia.
I thought that it was interesting that due to political matters, languages can be influenced.
Overall, I think I learned many new things about South Korea. I learned about Seoul, and how crowded it is due to most of the population living there. I learned about how South Korea has different districts, and each is famous for something. I learned that South Koreans are extremely proud of their economic rise to becoming one of the richest countries in the world.
I identify as American, but I think these little things Iearn about South Korea makes me very proud to be Korean. I am amazed by how our language depicts who we are as a people.
Replies