The Korean language, similar to the English language, contains phonetic sounds that are split into consonants and vowels. Consonants such as ㄱ, ㄴ, and ㅁ which represent "g", "n" and "m" sounds are then paired with vowels such as ㅏ,ㅗ, and ㅜ which represent "ah", "o", and "oo" sounds in order to produce words.
Korean, however, compared to English differs in some of its consonants which have interchangeable sounds depending on where they are placed in a word, consonants that have in between sounds, or which completely lacks consonants we have in English such as "f" or "q". One example of an interchangeable consonant is ㅂ. If it is placed in the start of a word, the ㅂ will sound more like a "b" while if it is placed in the middle of a word or at the end it sounds more like a "p". There are also consonants like ㄹ which is in between "l" and "r". The ㄹ in 사랑해(I love you) is not pronounced solely as a "l" or "r" but a mix between the two- sa(l/r)anghae. There are also double consonants based on the different amount of emphasis on it such as ㅂ versus ㅃ. In this case, ㅃ is pronounced as a more emphatic, short "b" sound. For example, 빵 means bread while 방 means room. These mean two different things based on a slight pronunciation difference.
In terms of learning Korean, I need to be attuned to these slight differences in pronunciation based on the position of the consonant or vowel or if it is a double consonant. I also need to practice in between sounds that would be difficult for me to put together having separated the sounds most of my life. In order to acquire this ability to discriminate these subtle differences, it will require me to listen to a lot of native speakers and being intentional in figuring out what word they've said whether through instructional videos, Korean dramas or movies as well as talking with family and friends. In terms of being able to speak these differences I will have to simply practice and imitate what I hear until I gain an ear to correct pronunciation.
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