Post your third bi-weekly report on your language-learning activities
Colors, opposites, -지만, tiger folktale, countries, 3.1 day
These past two weeks, we learned about how to say colors in Korean. I previously learned about colors, so it was a nice review. However, it was also a challenge because we learned more specific colors that I did not know before. Colors such as light blue (하늘색) and neon (형광). I think that, in general, I know what basic words to use. However, it is a challenge to go a step up from there and use more specific words. We went around the room labelling objects in the room (including Heera’s sweater) with their respective colors.
We also read together a Korean folktale about a woman who was poor, but one day she worked for a whole day and was paid in rice cakes. Eager to take them to her children, she walked home but a tiger kept saying he would eat her if she didn’t give him some. When she gave all of them to him eventually, he ate her and went to her home and disguised himself as the mom to also eat her children. Eventually, the children are saved by God when he sends down a rope, but the tiger dies when he tries to climb the rope but he falls to his death. I thought this was a sad story, but I think it can possibly shed light on what values Koreans like that have developed the heroes’ personalities in this folktale. Traits such as eager to help and protect others and being moral are valued, while trying to take advantage of these efforts is frowned upon.
We also learned about the various names of countries. As I studied abroad last year, I was eager to learn the names of countries to share where I have been. Some countries I have been to include Germany (독일), the UK (영국), and Spain (스페인). I am excited to use these words when describing my adventures and experiences. We also learned about 3.1 day, a day of protest against being under Japanese rule in the 20th century. To this day, it is an important and revered holiday that is celebrated and remembered every year.
Comments
Hey Sharon, the things are you doing to advance your Korean and practice using the language are very cool (I liked how you challenged yourself learning the more obscure colors—are there words for colors in Korean that don't easily translate into English?). I think the Korean morals that you drew from the Korean folktale are interesting and seemingly telling of Korean culture.
I've never heard of 3.1 day, but when I read your description it reminded me a lot of the Fourth of July in the U.S. Do Koreans celebrate 3.1 day like we celebrate Independence Day in the U.S., or is the holiday treated very differently? What might be the cause for any celebratory differences?