Discussion Post 7

Things are going pretty well so far. Before this class, I honestly had no idea what to expect, but I’ve really enjoyed learning about linguistics. I especially like hearing how everyone in class is approaching their language learning. It’s interesting to see how different all our languages are. Getting more context about how languages actually work has been kind of shocking to me. When I speak English, I never think about it, but after going to class each week, I’m amazed by how much is going on behind the scenes when we use language to communicate.Class discussions have definitely made me think more about how I can learn Hebrew better. Right now, Hebrew is going fine. The alphabet is pretty challenging since it uses completely different letters and symbols from English, but I’m not too stressed about that because my main goal is to improve my speaking. I have also started to use flash cards for common words (fruits, colors, etc), and I have found that pretty helpful. In the reading…

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Cultural Post #1

Artifact: Reply 1988 (Episode 1: "Hand in Hand" – The Food Sharing Sequence)For this post, I have selected the opening sequence of the drama Reply 1988 as my primary cultural artifact. Specifically, I am focusing on the scene in the first episode where the five families of the Ssangmun-dong alleyway exchange side dishes before dinner. While this is a scripted artistic production, it serves as an "authentic" representation of late-1980s South Korean social dynamics, crafted by creators who lived through the era and used historical consultants to ensure accuracy in domestic life and social etiquette. In this scene, mothers send their children to neighbor’s houses with a plate of food, only for the children to return with a different dish, creating a "food relay" that perfectly captures the communal spirit of the time.My interpretation of this artifact focuses on the Korean concept of Jeong (정). While often translated simply as "affection" or "attachment," Jeong is a complex cultural…

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Language Learning Journal #4

Episodes 10 through 13 felt like the culmination of the season, combining technical skill with everyday Korean food culture. Even as the competition reached its peak, the chefs continued to rely on familiar concepts and ingredients.One new term was 포계 (pogye), referring to poultry classification or grading. Learning this word helped me understand how precise Korean culinary language can be, especially regarding ingredient quality.Another important concept was 분식 (bunsik), which refers to casual foods like tteokbokki and kimbap. Seeing 분식 respected in a high-level competition showed that Korean cuisine values accessibility and nostalgia alongside refinement.The cooking method 조림 (jorim) appeared frequently, emphasizing patience and deep flavor absorption. I also noticed frequent use of 당근 (danggeun), or carrots, which are often used for color and balance rather than prominence.Dishes like 깨두부 (kkae-dubu) and 순대국 (sundae-guk) highlighted Korean comfort food. 깨두부 represented simplicity…

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Cultural Artifact #4 - Esports (이스포츠)

A unique aspect of modern Korean culture is its strong presence in esports, particularly through games like League of Legends. Before learning about Korean esports culture, I saw gaming mainly as a form of entertainment. However, I was surprised to discover how seriously esports is taken in Korea, where it is considered a professional and highly competitive field.My initial reaction was fascination at how organized and developed the esports scene is. Professional players train for long hours, compete in large arenas, and have dedicated fanbases. This level of structure made esports feel more like traditional sports than casual gaming. It also changed my perception of what a “career” can look like in modern society.What impressed me most is the level of discipline required. Becoming a professional esports player in Korea involves intense practice, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Players are often under significant pressure to perform well, which reflects a broader cultural emphasis…

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