Cultural Post #2 - 110

[Abigail Sohkhlet]

Formality and informality in the Korean language is a very constricting yet an easy system in my opinion. I say this because how you speak to a person is based on age and status and could thus reflect reflects how well your mannerisms are. It is an easy language because it helps categorize people and inform the speaker how to behave towards the other person they are communicating with. Korean language is a hierarchal language because it lets everyone who is listening know where they fall in terms of age and status (I have yet to find out if this reflects SES or not). From what I have learned so far, I feel that respect is a huge part of the Korean culture. Respect is expected to be given where it is due, that is, the older the person is the more respect they get or if the person is occupying a higher rank then he/she receives more respect than someone who is in a lower position. If not, the person who does not show respect through language is seen as someone who is rude or unruly. This is why it is necessary for people who have just met to ask for each other’s age and/ or job status which would be offensive in some cultures like the US. The emphasis on respect is so heavy that even language reflects respect which I have neither positive or negative remarks for. I can only say that it is very intriguing.