In the past two weeks, I was practicing how to respond to certain scenarios if I was in Korea. I would have to respond on the spot and Janette my language partner would tell me how a native speaker would respond. These kinds of exercises are very helpful and enjoyable since I often have few chances to actually practice my speaking skills. And since I have decided to study abroad I have to gain confidence and prepare myself to not be as self-conscious about my pronunciation and speaking skills. Speaking exercises also help me learn new vocabulary words and certain grammar points to make my speaking flow more and maintain the conversational flow.
I will list a couple of the scenarios I have practiced that you might encounter and have to know how to properly respond to when traveling abroad to Korea.
1) If I wanted to order an Iced American at a cafe and a piece of tiramisu cake I'd say:
아아 하나 그리고, 티라미수 하나만 주세요.
Iced Americano and only one piece of tiramisu, please.
(아아 is slang for Ice 아이스 Americano 아메리카노 where they only say the first characters)
Incorporating and knowing basic slang is helpful because you can better understand the cultural component of languages as well as being hip with the younger generation.
2) While at the cafe if I accidentally spilled my drink on someone I'd say:
실례합니다, 난 실수했어 죄송해요
Excuse me, I made a mistake I'm sorry
3) If I was lost and had to ask for directions to the nearest McDonalds
저기요 맥도날드 어디에요?
Excuse me, where is the McDonalds
4)How to order for my table at a Korean Barbeque place
우리는 질문할게요, 고기 두 개, 삼겹살 세 개,갈비 한 개, 그리고 물 조세요!
5) If I need to find the nearest bathroom
화장실 어디에요?
6)My short self-introduction in a formal setting
안녕하세요, 제 이름은 발렌티나입니다
나는 컬럼비아 사람 그리고 지금 난 미국에서 살고.
난 제일 좋아하는 가수 방탄소년단!
7) My short self-introduction in an informal setting
안녕 제이름은 발렌티나야!
나는 컬럼비아 사람 그리고 지금 난 미국에서 살고.
난 제일 좋아하는 가수 방탄소년단!
When speaking informally you have to remove the 요 ending and change it in a 야 ending.
So 안녕하세요 turns into a simple 안녕 It is important to know these structures because of the hierarchy system in Korea.
However, it is bad to not learn the informal way because it can make people who are younger than you or the same age feel uncomfortable. Because formal speech is something very culturally ingrained not speaking informally with friends can show that you don't want to get closer to them and can create a barrier. As a non-native speaker, I can't understand completely why that would have such a massive effect since English is very linear. But in Spanish, we do have a form of formal speech using the -Usted I honestly only use it with my family when we disagree or are arguing. Other than that, I find myself accidentally using it but because it is very loosely incorporated in our culture there's no negative reaction for not using it. I would highly recommend other language learners to have a speaking time or lesson with their partners since It has been so crucial to the improvement of my overall Korean skills.
Replies
I remember learning informal vs formal while I was taking Japanese and I agree that it’s a really important thing to learn. It really show language fluency when you can switch between the two based on your audience. I also spent some time in Japan to gain the confidence to use informal speech since I did not have many opportunities to use it in the states. I hope everything goes well for you!
I really enjoyed this post because this is something I think about all the time, especially as I’m progressing in my Korean learning journey as well. I thought that the scenario of accidentally spilling your coffee drink on someone was amusing because I would’ve never considered that. But, you really never know what can happen and it’ll be really useful to know how to apologize for that if it does occur.
Hi Valentina, I think that is awesome that you are going to study abroad in Korea and implemented these practice phrases and conversations to help set yourself up for situations in Korea! I definitely agree speaking is the way to go since that helps cement Korean language skills and helps with enunciation as well!
Hey Valentina! I think you are such a fast and great Korean speaker! I am glad that our lessons have served you well! I cannot wait to spend next semester with you!
Also, yes learning about the informal vs. formal differences is always difficult because you have to conjugate in addition to adding/subtracting the endings.
Hi Valentina I know that you are going to study abroad this coming Spring semester. I thought question 3 was funny because it is kind of random. However, from what I remember, Korean McDonalds is pretty different compared to American McDonalds. Korean McDonalds has restaurants of better quality in terms of food and buildings. If you do end up going to McDonald's, you should try the Bulgogi burger.
I've actually never been to McDonalds in Korea but I really want to try the Bulgogi burger.
I remember trying the tteokbokki at KFC which was ironic but kinda good, but yeah I think fast food in other countries is a lot better, maybe because of the fresher ingredients. The one "American" fast food place I'm looking forward to visiting is Krispy Kreme it's on a whole other level, I still crave their green tea mochi donut. They also do these milkshakes with donut pieces and ice cream I was amazed. It definitely a restaurant Korea did soo much better.
When are you studying abroad? That's so exciting! I think that immersion is the dream of most language learners, and I'm glad you will have the opportunity! I really like that you included all of these examples in your post- the exercise between you and Janette seems like it will be really helpful to learn cultural/linguistic nuances and how to speak like a native speaker. I'm so impressed that you are able to learn Korean; it looks and sounds incredibly difficult!
Thank you so much Madelyn! Yes, I really wanted to share useful and helpful phrases that she could use in Korea! I think being able to understand cultural/linguistic nuances will definitely make someone seem like a native speaker.
I'm actually going this February it's been the only program to have not been canceled. I'm very excited to go and make friends but also eat really good food. Thank you for your compliments Korean was really easy when I first started our and then gradually become soo difficult. Without Janette I would of been stuck at a standstill but our meetings have been really helpful in improving my speaking and overall understanding. I think this type of practice is really helpful and I recommend that you try it out sometime!
I hope that your program still isn't cancelled and you're able to go! Eating good food might be the best part of traveling :) Having a peer to speak the language with and do exercises with seems really beneficial to learning a language! Casey and I both took Indonesian together and did similar exercises where we each took on a role and had to talk through a scenario in Indonesian (like ordering at a store or something)- it truly is helpful for trying to think on my feet and practice scenarios I might encounter with a native speaker.