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SpaceHey needs to add a language category or something because it took me a minute to pick a category to put this blog under lol.
Anyways, I've been studying Korean for quite some time now. I've been studying off and on since I was in 8th grade (which is about nine years now). So, one might think I must be pretty far in my Korean learning journey since I've been studying for so long, right? NOPE *crying*. I'm the most inconsistent person ever. My Korean is no better than a three-year-old's. Actually, Korean three-year-olds are probably more advanced than me.
Lately, I've been doing really well at staying consistent!! I feel like I've actually been learning and improving which is great! I switched the language on my phone and Nintendo Switch to Korean. So, now I play Animal Crossing in Korean (I don't get on my switch much, though)!
I've also been using Rosetta Stone. I paid over $200 for the lifetime plan that gives me access to all of their languages, so I really should use it. It's actually really nice. However, for Korean, some things taught on Rosetta Stone can be confusing if you don't already have background knowledge on that certain thing. For example, Rosetta Stone doesn't teach you Hanguel (the Korean alphabet), so you need to learn that separately. Also, Korean has two different number systems, which Rosetta Stone doesn't teach you that information. They just teach you the numbers and say "figure it out lol".
I also use the Talk To Me In Korean grammar books. Those have been helpful in teaching myself grammar structures. Korean sentences are built differently than English sentences, so it's good to try to really learn and understand.
For vocabulary, I also use Memrise. It's been really helpful in learning new words. It also teaches you sentences to memorize, which can be helpful.
Learning Korean is not for the weak. It's one of the top five most difficult languages for native English speakers to learn. Maybe I should've stuck with learning Spanish, but the Kpop fan in me won't let me give up Korean. Maybe I'll find a way to study both.
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Dandy Leon (彈帝獅)
The only reason I know Korean somewhat well is because I already know Japanese and the two translate very neatly into each other and have very similar pronounciation.
I am nowhere near as interested in Korean culture as I am Japanese and I am nowhere near as proficient in their language either, but I've found myself having more opportunities to read hangul and occasionally interact with Koreans in real life than with Japanese people.
Korean is interesting to me not simply because of the hangul (in theory the world's absolute best writing system if Korean didn't lack certain consonants), but the fact it is such an ancient language that leaped so quickly into the modern era.
Since I first started learning Japanese from, and because of, video games, I'd say that's actually one of the best ways you can start learning Korean, especially if you're playing games you're already familiar with, just in a different language. The South Koreans are huge consumers of JRPGs translated into their own language, so that's a place to begin. You can pick up on a lot of basic vocabulary that way.
Everyday speaking is going to take longer because South Korean society has a system of ranks that involve the use of honorifics and different tenses and they are far stricter about it than even the Japanese with theirs. You'd have to learn how to word things appropriately to avoid offending people, although I'm sure young Koreans would just be impressed that you're making an effort to speak their language. Real-life practice is key, especially if you're not sure about how you're saying something.
Best of luck!
Thank you! Yes, I went to Japan last year, so I studied a little bit of Japanese before my trip, and I realized how similar it was to Korean. My experience in studying Korean made learning Japanese a little bit easier since the grammar structure is the same and some words sound the same! I would love to start studying Japanese again once I am more proficient in Korean. I've never played any JRPG's, but I'll have to try it out!
by Pinkie; ; Report
Eden
I've never felt so seen, I bought a beginner's Korean work/textbook, and I feel like all the stuff I did know was completely wrong, but you're so right, the k-pop isn't gonna translate itself
It can get really confusing sometimes, but we must never give up!
by Pinkie; ; Report
R0s3
Very cool!! I am also studying, off and on for about 6 years and the number system still trips me up lol
R0s3
Very cool!! I am also studying, off and on for about 6 years and the number system still trips me up lol
R0s3
Very cool!! I am also studying, off and on for about 6 years and the number system still trips me up lol