Discussion Post #3

Bahasa Indonesia is often said to be one of the easier non-romance languages for English speakers to learn, and a large part of this is due to Indonesia’s linguistic structures. Grammatically, it is similar to English because both languages use an SVO word order. Another facet of Indonesian grammar is that there are no tenses to learn; vocabulary words provide context for when the action occurred. Adjectives also follow nouns, which I haven’t had as much trouble with, thanks to my previous Spanish learning. While there are many pronouns in Indonesian, in informal speaking/writing, people are referred to by name or by adding 'sir '/'ma'am' (Pak/Bu) before their name. Combining different disciplinary perspectives helps me better understand Bahasa Indonesia by allowing me to process my learning in chunks and connect my interests outside linguistics to my language study.  Learning about the history and culture of Indonesia will give me a richer understanding of vocabulary and how to use…

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Discussion #3

 In my study of Korean, I observe a highly systematic and multi-layered set of language structures that closely align with the diagram presented on page 9 of Aitchison’s linguistics, which conceptualizes language as an interconnected system composed of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Korean clearly demonstrates how these levels operate together rather than independently, with structural choices often carrying social and psychological meaning beyond their grammatical function.At the phonological level, Korean is characterized by a three-way distinction among plain, aspirated, and tense consonants. Although subtle for learners, these contrasts are structurally meaningful and affect lexical distinction. Phonological processes such as sound assimilation and batchim (final consonant) variation further illustrate how surface pronunciation is shaped by underlying rules. Morphologically, Korean is an agglutinative language in which grammatical meaning is…

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Discussion #2

Overall, I predominantly agree with the assessments presented in Figuring Foreigners Out and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, particularly their analyses of individualism versus collectivism, high- versus low-context communication, and cultural attitudes toward hierarchy and social relationships. These frameworks offer a useful lens for understanding why behaviors that seem natural in one culture may be interpreted very differently in another. Through my own language-learning experiences, I have come to realize that many communication difficulties arise not from insufficient linguistic knowledge, but from differing cultural assumptions about how meaning, respect, and relationships are expressed.That said, I also find certain statements and generalizations in the readings potentially problematic. Although the authors emphasize that cultural dimensions exist along a continuum rather than as rigid binaries, these frameworks can easily be oversimplified in practice. Labeling an entire…

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Learning Plan

My goal is to improve my proficiency in Korean while deepening my understanding of Korean culture. I focus on task-based learning activities that combine language practice in writing (grammar), allowing me to actively use Korean in real-life contexts.Organization of Learning:Textbook Study: I use Yonsei Korean 3 and plan to complete at least three sections per week, practicing grammar, sentence structures, and dialogues.Vocabulary Practice: Each week, I read and practice 40 words (including both old and new) to strengthen retention and expand my active vocabulary.Listening and Comprehension: I keep watching the musical repeatedly, with and without subtitles, to improve listening skills and familiarize myself with natural speech patterns.Speaking Practice: I practice conversations based on the textbook and musical content, both independently and with peers when possible.Resources:Yonsei Korean 3 for structured grammar and exercises.Korean musical videos onlineApp (韩语单词) for vocabulary…

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