My learning goals for this week are a little bit different than previous weeks' for I've been wanting to learn more about the Korean culture. Carlos did a cultural presentation on Korean superstitions and to my surprise I only knew two of the ones he mentioned. I found a YouTube Channel called TalkToMeInKorean and they cover a lot of videos on Korean culture, such as superstitions, Korean marriage, cost of living, and so on.
This week I've watched videos on Korean superstitions and although they may not be true, I thought it was important to know these cultural differences because it may affect others from that culture. For example, writing someone's name in red ink in Korea can be seen as disrespectful and bring bad fortune for names of those who have died are written in red ink. Another one is being careful when using chopsticks. Dropping them on the floor or placing them in "inappropriate" positions, like stick it in your rice, can be seen as disrespectful and unmannerly.
I also learned Korean count words this week, which were a bit difficult. Like Chinese and Japanese, Korean uses special measure words/counting words to count objects and events. This is called 수분류사 (subllyusa). For example, in English people say "1 sheet of paper" and sheet acts like the measure word. In Korean, sheets are 장 (jang). I've been trying to memorize measure words and use them in context/sentences so I can use them correctly, especially when I speak to elders and family friends.
- gae (개) -- 'things' in general, often used as a coverall when the specific count word is unknown, for example by children.
- beol (벌) -- items of clothing
- bun (분) -- people (honorific)
- cheok (척) -- boats and ships
- chae (채) -- houses
- dae (대) -- vehicles (cars, airplanes) and machinery (incl. computers)
- dan (단) -- bunches of Welsh onions, green onions; a column (in a newspaper)
- dong (동) -- buildings
- geuru (그루) -- trees
- gwa (과) -- lessons (if paired with Sino-Korean numeral, lesson number)
- gwon (권) -- books
- jang (장) -- paper
- jaru (자루) -- things with long handles (writing instruments, shovels, swords, and rifles), and by extension, knives and pistols
- jul (줄) -- literal meaning: line. things aligned in a row (gimbap, desks, chairs)
- kyeolle (켤레) -- gloves and socks (pairs)
- mari (마리) -- animals
- myeong (명) -- people (informal)
- pil (필) -- uncut fabric, horses, cows
- pogi (포기) -- Chinese cabbages
- pun (푼) -- pennies
- sal (살) -- years
- song-i (송이) -- picked flowers, bunches of grapes, bunches of bananas
- tol (톨) -- grains of rice (not cooked), stones
- tong (통/通) -- letters, telegrams, telephone calls, and e-mail
- tong (통) -- watermelons
- jeom (점) -- paintings , sliced or ripped off flesh , small amount of something (cloud, wind)
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