Former South Korean president Kim Dae-Jung died today due to heart failure. He’s credited with doing a lot of work for reunification and democracy. His work with North Korea has helped earn him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000.
Source: BBC
Practice texting in Korean online!
Posted by mstrum
on August 17, 2009
18 comments
Those of you who’ve been following my blog for a long time know I’ve been working on a HUGE project called Hangeul Assistant over on the Korean Wiki Project. Up until now, the main things you can do are:
- Type Korean on ANY computer exactly like you would on a Korean computer (with a visual Keyboard which you can either click the keys or just view it as a reference while typing)
- Conjugate verbs
- See pronunciation changes
Well, now I’ve started working on the last main feature which has, up until now, been completely missing. What’s the last piece of the puzzle? You’ve guessed it, texting! Now, you can type in Korean using Hangeul Assistant just like you would on a Korean cellphone. Currently, only the “Sky” system is implemented, but I’m planning on including all cellphone systems in the future. I’d enjoy any feedback y’all have, especially if you’ve used a SKY phone and know that something needs to be fixed.
Try it below:
For more information, check out the Hangeul Assistant page over on the Korean Wiki Project!
Top 10 Korean Engrish Signs
Posted by mstrum
on August 15, 2009
9 comments
Since I’ve posted so many North Korean propaganda posters, I feel like I need to lighten up the posts by sharing my favorite Korean “Engrish” signs with y’all. I think we can all laugh at the mistakes we make, and I know I’ve made a lot of language mistakes. Anyways, here it goes:
#10 – All they needed to do was google “luxuly”…
#9 – Mmmm …. Robster! Wait a second …
#8 – I actually feel the most sorry for the guy in the ad
#7 – Don’t like someone? Get them a gift here!
#6 – They ain’t happy any more …
#5 – This is funny on so many levels
#4 – Human Water is people! (just google Soylent Green….)
#3 – Now I want to add gigle gigle to every food…
#2 – The newest urban sport
#1 – At least English was spelled right …
Well, there ya go! If you want to find some more funny signs and other things in English, go check out Engrish.com
roboseyo
개와 늑대의 시간 (Time of Dog and Wolf): K-Drama
Posted by mstrum
on August 13, 2009
No comments
As part of my Korean studies this semester, I decided that I would watch a Korean drama. I chose 개와 늑대의 시간 (Time of Dog and Wolf) since it seemed like a pretty interesting drama. The new semester’s coming up so I need to choose another good one, I’m thinking High Kick since it seems to have good scenarios for learning everyday Korean. Anyways, I finally finished today and I have to say it was a great choice! It’s got some great action scenes and a well developed story and cast of characters. Watch the preview below and if it looks like something you’d enjoy, go for it!
Untranslatable Words
Posted by mstrum
on August 11, 2009
5 comments
There’s some words that when a Korean asks me how to say it in English, I just have to come up with words that are close to it. Every language has it’s set of words that have developed over time usually due to the difference in environment and cultural beliefs and values. Here’s a small list of words I’ve found to be very hard to translate:
- 한 <恨> – Korean movies are full of this kind of “spite” or “grief.”
- 정 <情> – The special “feelings” between people
- 쌍꺼풀 – This is one that Americans really don’t know. I personally didn’t even think about the fact that we have “double eyelids” or that Asians have “single eyelids” until I learned Korean.
Any other one’s y’all can think of? I know there’s more…
