Why is translating so… difficult?

In all my Korean learning experience, translating has got to be the most hardest task of all. Whenever I read Korean content, any sentence above 10 words will be very hard for me translate. I can only understand individual words, rather than combining them together to form an overall meaning.

I’ll give an example from a TTMIK 이야기.

“이번 주제 통해서 저희가 어렸을 때 공부를 과연 열심히 했는지, 안 했는지 알 수 있을 것 같아요.”

I’ll know that:

• 어번 주제 동해서= through this topic
• 저회 어렸을때= when we were young
• 공부를 과연 열심히 했는지=  Did not really study hard
• 안 했는지= did not
• 알 수 있을 것 같아요= I think you understand

And that’s where everything ends! I can get a feel for what the sentence is conveying but not entirely – and I won’t be able to translate it ti English.

What are some of the methods you use to dissect Korean sentences. What process do you go through in order to translate?

Memrise

Haha! No – I didn’t spell it wrong!

Memrise is really useful site that offers different lists on any topic. Of course, foreign vocabulary is one of the most famous categories. They have lists in almost any language, so don’t feel restricted! They have many Korean lists, so it may be something you should check out.

Whenever I find that my vocabulary list is running short, so I visit Memrise and jot down a few unfamiliar words. If you don’t have a vocabulary list (which I reccomend you should have), this site offers ways to track words you have memrorized and even reminds me you to review! I just started using a registered account – but it’s not required to use the content

The site is based on growing a garden such as planting seeds (learn new words), and watering (reviewing the words).

You get to use other user’s lists, along with the “flashcard” feature to study them effectively. Personally, I haven’t had much experience with these flashcards, but they seem useful considering the fact that some users may instert mnemonics and examples that they use to memorize these words. They have different types of flash cards, such chose the correct english/korean word, or type in the right answer. Also something, which I find extremely helpful, is when you misspell a word, they immediately make you retype it in the next flash card.

You get to watch each plant (word), and grow the more you review. I think it’s a fun way to track your progress!

It’s definitely a site worth checking out ^^ Keep in mind, you can always deactivate your account.

So what are waiting for? Visit Memrise!

My Official Korean Blog

Hi everyone! I made a new Korean blog over here: jrwpdlql.blogspot.com in order to start fresh. I moved some of my posts from my old 네이버 블로그. It’s mostly about my personal life, etc.

Don’t feel shy on commenting, even if it’s English ^^ It’s what motivates me to write more! Also, I get corrections from Lang-8 and my 컨버 파트너, so it might be helpful towards you’re reading/writing skills!

And don’t worry, I’m still using this blog for my English/language posts

In other news, my 컨버파트너 and I are getting along together really well! We decided that I would write Korean journal entries and she could correct them (which will be available on my Korean Blogspot).

I haven’t practiced Chinese this week, so my tutoring session was a bit dull since I was unfamiliar with the topics. I also need to practice my tones =-=;;; I’m really terrible at speaking Chinese ><;;

Update on Conversation Partner #1

I met my language partner on Monday~! We ended up meeting at the union building at my local university! :3

She’s really nice and just came from Seoul a month ago. I’m going to help with her homework and her pronunciation, and she’ll help me with my Korean studying. We really got along with each other, so it was lots of fun. We mainly just introduced ourselves and talked about basic things like classes (We both take the same level Chinese class haha) we were taking about differences between South Korea and America. Fortunately, we’re going to meet two times a week, so we’ll both advance in our language studies fairly quickly. If you have any ideas for subjects 주제 for us to talk about, I’ll appreciate it greatly. We decided to have a subject each time we meet so we can have fluid and beneficial discussions.

We meet again Friday for lunch, so if you have any questions about Korea/Korean, feel free to leave a comment and I’ll ask her when we meet  

-기로(는) When it comes to …-ing; as far as …-ing is concerned.

I was watching 인피니트 개알 플레이어 and saw this word ending -기로(는).

It basically adds the meaning when it comes to …-ing; as far as …-ing is concerned. You would most likely use it when you’re trying to convey your uncertainty about a subject, despite your lack of knowledge in order to emphasize your perspective.

EXAMPLE

1) 확실하지 않은데 내가 예측하기로는 옛날에 아프다고 병원 갔을 때 있잖아…
I’m not certain, but I’m predicting, in the past when I was sick we went to the hospital…

Example is courtesy of 인피니트 개알 플래이어.

I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK 싸이보그지만 괜찮아

I’m a Cyborg, But That’s OK (Korean Film)
★★

This film is about a young girl named Young-Goon that believes she is a Cyborg, thus being checked into a mental hospital. Along with a menagerie of hospital patience, they all seem to interact in humorous ways. Il Sun (Rain), hospitalized for anti-social behavior, ends up trying to help Young-Goon consume food instead of ‘charging’ with batteries.

There is a lot  gruesome imagery is this film – which is one of the main reasons I didn’t enjoy it. And by gruesome, I mean people with blood gushing out for minutes on end and things like force feeding. Being so, I would not reccomend this movie to anyone whose sensitive towards these subjects, such as myself. To be honest, I find humor involving mentally-ill people very offensive.

There were maybe two scenes that actually made laugh. I would say that the last quarter of the movie was very appealing. The romance between Young-Goon and Il Sun was definitely unique and cute.

When I watch a movie, I expect to feel uplifted and cheerful, rather than left senseless and slightly disturbed. Unless you like disturbing content, I wouldn’t really recommend this movie. But if you have time, it wouldn’t hurt to watch! You may find a new genre of movies that you enjoy

Vocabulary Update #1

I just wanted to make a quick update on my Korean vocabulary progress.

The organization is a bit different than when I first started...

So far, this method of using Spreadsheet really helped. After a while, memorizing 10 words really does become a piece of cake. This method helps me put vocabulary words in my long-term memory. Sure, I may forget a few words, but I am able to review on the computer seamlessly since I can track my progress with each word.

Keep in mind, I find words gradually – so I don’t necessarily aim to find 10 words a day. Instead, I try to maintain a bank of words in my notebook that I can use later.

By using a spreadsheet, I can see my progress visually.

I’m not sure if this will prove to be effective later on, but so far it’s working perfectly for me.

I know most people discourage vocabulary lists, but language learning is all about studying ways that work for you. Personally, I find that I use the new words with ease and comfort rather than just for comprehension sake.

I think my next step will practicing conjugating the verbs. There are many verbs that I know will confuse me later on such as 고르다 → 고라요.

There are a few resources I use to learn new vocabulary:

• dramas
• variety shows (SNSD Dangerous Boys)
• Koreanwordaday (No longer being updated
• textbooks/novels

It’s a little difficult for me to learn words without actual 한글 subtitles since I find listening a bit more complicated in terms of spelling the unknown words – which is why I recommend variety shows since they use many subtitles and annotations. Although, after listening to dramas, I found that my listening skills has greatly improved.

I may increase the words per day, because I feel like my progress is very slow. It seemed a good idea when I started, but I have only learned a little more than 300 words by the end of January.

Conversation Partner

The ESL program at my local University offer’s a sort of language exchange for students (I go to high school and college, if you’re wondering…). I found out about this program from an email my Chinese professor forwarded to the students.

The conversation partner get-togethers are informal (not tutoring sessions) and can take place once or twice a week for about an hour, at a location of your choosing. You can arrange the meeting times and place with your conversation partner. Partners should commit to meeting for the remainder of the semester.

It’s pretty much a hub for language learners to get find partners to talk to and get and help on homework assignments etc…

I put in a request for a Korean partner, so hopefully there is someone available ><;; My university doesn’t offer any Korean courses/programs, so you can imagine the limited resources.

My suggestion is to check with your local university to see if they offer any programs that are similar. I would start with the English lab because that’s where most foreigners go to get tutoring.

Speaking of which, in myChinese 1102 class, I got assigned a Chinese tutor from Taiwan ^^;; We’re going to meet via Skype tomorrow, so expect a followup post!

Noun + 조차

While reading 세상에 너를 소리쳐, I came across this word ending which I think will prove to be effective.

This is equivalent to the English “even” and “to the extent of” such as ” I didn’t even know”.

EXAMPLES

1) 그 여자가 제 이름조차 몰랐어요…
That girl didn’t even know my name.

2) 생각조차 하기 싫어요.
I don’t even want to think about it.

Disneychannel Korea

I’m sure most have you have watched Disney Channel once or twice in your lifetime, right? Well good news! Disneychannel Korean now provides full episodes of your favorite TV shows directly on their website!

I think this is a great way for people to practice their Korean (or any language), since their are no subtitles AND it provides the same plots which create familiarity.

I recommend watching 찰리야 부탁해 (Good Luck Charlie), and 어항속의 하이틴 (Fish Hooks). Good Luck Charlie uses really simple and clear sentences, along with a lot of facial and hand gestures – which makes it great for beginners. Fish Hooks is just funny. I’m not sure if you’d agree, but this cartoon proves to be hilarious.

To watch these shows click on the show icons on the navigation bar, and then click the 동영상 button on the right. It’s pretty much the same for every show.

If you aren’t learning Korean, don’t fret! Disneychannel caters to almost every language! Like Hindi, Chinese. You can view the whole list here.

So what are you waiting for? Visit Disneychannel.co.kr