A posting and answer for Equinox's question. (Sorry to be late^^;)
Tensing (경음화)
1. If the syllable-final consonant of the first syllable is 'ㄱ, ㄲ, ㅋ, ㄷ, ㅌ, ㅂ, ㅍ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅈ, ㅊ' and the second syllable begins with 'ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅈ', the syllable-initial consonant of the second syllable is pronounced with the tensed sound, 'ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ'.
ex. 학교[학꾜], 한국도[한국또], 반갑습니다[반갑씀니다], 깃발[긷빨], 옆집[옆찝], 꽃다발[꼳따발], 값지다[갑찌다]
2. If the syllable-final consonant of a stem(base) is 'ㄴ(ㄵ), ㅁ(ㄻ)' and the syllable-initial consonant of the ending is 'ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅅ, ㅈ', the syllable-initial consonant is pronounced with the tensed sound, 'ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅆ, ㅉ'.
ex. 신고[신:꼬], 껴안다[껴안:따], 앉고[안꼬], 얹다[언따], 삼고[삼:꼬], 더듬지[더듬찌], 닮고[담:꼬], 젊지[점:찌]
However, in case of passive suffix and causitive suffix, this rule is not applied.
ex. 안기다[안기다], 감기다[감기다], 굶기다[굼기다], 옮기다[옴기다]
3. If the syllable-final consonant of a stem(base) is 'ㄼ, ㄾ' and the syllable-initial consonant of the ending is 'ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅅ, ㅈ', the syllable-initial consonant is pronounced with the tensed sound, 'ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅆ, ㅉ'.
ex. 넓게[널께], 핥다[할따], 훑소[훌쏘], 떫지[떨:찌]
4. In case of words in Chinese characters, if the syllable-final consonant of the first syllable is 'ㄹ' and the second syllable begins with 'ㄷ, ㅅ, ㅈ', the syllable-initial consonant of the second syllable is pronounced with the tensed sound, 'ㄸ, ㅆ, ㅉ'.
ex. 갈등[갈뜽], 발동[발똥], 절도[절또], 말살[말쌀], 일시[일씨], 갈증[갈쯩], 물질[물찔], 발전[발쩐], 몰상식[몰쌍식]
5. The syllable-initial consonants 'ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅈ' followed after the adnominal ending '-(으)ㄹ' are pronounced with the tensed sound, 'ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ'.
ex. 할 것을[할꺼슬], 갈 데가[갈떼가], 할 바를[할빠를], 할 수는[할쑤는], 할 적에[할쩌게], 갈 곳[갈꼳], 할 도리[할또리], 만날 사람[만날싸람]
This is the same in case of the ending '-(으)ㄹ'.
ex. 할걸[할껄], 할밖에[할빠께], 할수록[할쑤록], 할지라도[할찌라도]
The rule of Tensing is somewhat more complicated, coz some of them are related with the Insertion of 'ㅅ'.
I think the above rules and instances are enough for beginners and intermediate learners.
^^
Showing posts with label Korean language. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Korean language. Show all posts
2007-02-17
How do address people properly in Korean
An interesting and problematic topic both for native Korean and foreigners learning Korean - "How do address people properly in Korean".
I've thought many times about HOW to explain this matter to my non-Korean friends, but it's so complicated that it's impossible to make it clear in a few words.
Unfortunately, many textbooks do the common mistake in translating '씨' as 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' in English, which is actually not correct. For beginners, this often leads to an unintended mistake in addressing other people.
I tried to make a short explanation about it, but probably I need more time and also need to study more to give a clear answer.
So first I'll tell you only a basic outline from a summery I'm writing right now which was actually intended to help beginners in Korean language.
*Plz notice that some of the contents are from my own perspective, and probably people in the older generation may have different ideas. The notion of how to address people properly differs from generations and individuals. The way how to address someone often changes as the relationship comes more intimate. The following explanation is suitable for relationships that are not very intimate.
To Whom, When and How to use '~씨'
⒧ People who are in the same or similar age as you
⑵ People who are younger than you
⑶ People over 20 (University students, Graduate students, Company workers, etc.)
⑷ In Casual Polite Speech Level. (with the ending form '~요')
※ The English translation for '씨' is often known as 'Mr.' or 'Ms.', but in reality this is not quite correct according to how Korean use it. Most Korean do not feel comfortable to call someone older than oneself by '씨', and they are also not very happy to be addressed by this form by a younger person.
How to address other people properly
⑴ In one's work place (office, school, etc.)
a. if the person is in a higher position/older than you
: Name(full/last name)+Position+님
ex. 이진영 부장님/ 이부장님
김재욱 교수님/ 김교수님
최은희 선생님/ 최선생님
b. if the person is in a lower position/younger than you
: Name(full/last name)+Position
ex. 김영수 과장/ 김과장
박세현 대리/ 박대리
정현철 선생/ 정선생
※ When talking to a person older or in a higher position in 1:1, or if there is no other person with the same position as him/her, his/her name is omitted and only the form 'position+님' is used.
ex. 회장님
사장님
교수님
⑵ In personal/informal meeting
a. if the person is in the same or similar age as you, or younger than you
: Name(first name)+씨
ex. 유진 씨
경호 씨
b. if the person is older than you
one's position
ex. 이사님
부장님
교수님
선생님
name(full)+선생님
ex. 윤미선 선생님
강민호 선생님
use no title and just omit the subject while talking
(since it is possible to talk with no subject in Korean☺)
ask him/her how to address
(if he/she is kind enough, he/she will tell you☺)
♣ As a foreigner, and a beginner in Korean language, it is always better to use the polite form in talking and addressing someone to avoid any misunderstanding or problems. Therefore, even though there is someone younger than you, it is better to add '님' if you are not sure how to address him/her.
♬ Even Native Koreans are often not sure how to address other people at the first time they meet. So don't worry too much about how to address someone properly. This is a matter of culture, and often lies beyond linguistics. It may look somewhat problematic, but you will get to know about it gradually. Take your time and enjoy learning more about the language and culture of Korea. Anyway, as long as people take you for a foreigner, mistakes and unfamiliarity in Korean language are not a big problem☺
I've thought many times about HOW to explain this matter to my non-Korean friends, but it's so complicated that it's impossible to make it clear in a few words.
Unfortunately, many textbooks do the common mistake in translating '씨' as 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' in English, which is actually not correct. For beginners, this often leads to an unintended mistake in addressing other people.
I tried to make a short explanation about it, but probably I need more time and also need to study more to give a clear answer.
So first I'll tell you only a basic outline from a summery I'm writing right now which was actually intended to help beginners in Korean language.
*Plz notice that some of the contents are from my own perspective, and probably people in the older generation may have different ideas. The notion of how to address people properly differs from generations and individuals. The way how to address someone often changes as the relationship comes more intimate. The following explanation is suitable for relationships that are not very intimate.
To Whom, When and How to use '~씨'
⒧ People who are in the same or similar age as you
⑵ People who are younger than you
⑶ People over 20 (University students, Graduate students, Company workers, etc.)
⑷ In Casual Polite Speech Level. (with the ending form '~요')
※ The English translation for '씨' is often known as 'Mr.' or 'Ms.', but in reality this is not quite correct according to how Korean use it. Most Korean do not feel comfortable to call someone older than oneself by '씨', and they are also not very happy to be addressed by this form by a younger person.
How to address other people properly
⑴ In one's work place (office, school, etc.)
a. if the person is in a higher position/older than you
: Name(full/last name)+Position+님
ex. 이진영 부장님/ 이부장님
김재욱 교수님/ 김교수님
최은희 선생님/ 최선생님
b. if the person is in a lower position/younger than you
: Name(full/last name)+Position
ex. 김영수 과장/ 김과장
박세현 대리/ 박대리
정현철 선생/ 정선생
※ When talking to a person older or in a higher position in 1:1, or if there is no other person with the same position as him/her, his/her name is omitted and only the form 'position+님' is used.
ex. 회장님
사장님
교수님
⑵ In personal/informal meeting
a. if the person is in the same or similar age as you, or younger than you
: Name(first name)+씨
ex. 유진 씨
경호 씨
b. if the person is older than you
one's position
ex. 이사님
부장님
교수님
선생님
name(full)+선생님
ex. 윤미선 선생님
강민호 선생님
use no title and just omit the subject while talking
(since it is possible to talk with no subject in Korean☺)
ask him/her how to address
(if he/she is kind enough, he/she will tell you☺)
♣ As a foreigner, and a beginner in Korean language, it is always better to use the polite form in talking and addressing someone to avoid any misunderstanding or problems. Therefore, even though there is someone younger than you, it is better to add '님' if you are not sure how to address him/her.
♬ Even Native Koreans are often not sure how to address other people at the first time they meet. So don't worry too much about how to address someone properly. This is a matter of culture, and often lies beyond linguistics. It may look somewhat problematic, but you will get to know about it gradually. Take your time and enjoy learning more about the language and culture of Korea. Anyway, as long as people take you for a foreigner, mistakes and unfamiliarity in Korean language are not a big problem☺
2007-02-16
살얼음 (Thin Ice)
Photo from The Hankyoreh
[명사] 얇게 살짝 언 얼음 ≒ 박빙
살얼음이 얼다
살얼음이 끼다
며칠 날씨가 쌀쌀하더니 어느새 강에 살얼음이 살짝 얼었다.
[관용구] 살얼음을 밟는 것 같다
위태위태하여 마음이 몹시 불안하다.
[관용구] 살얼음을 밟듯이
겁이 나서 매우 조심스럽게.
조련사는 성난 사자에게 살얼음을 밟듯이 조심스럽게 다가갔다.
살얼음 a thin coat[sheet] of ice;thin ice
그는 지금 살얼음을 밟는 기분이다 He is now on thin ice.
강에 살얼음이 잡혔다 A thin layer of ice covered the river.
살얼음판 a tricky[delicate, touchy] situation
살얼음 밟듯이 feel as if one were stepping on thin ice;feel like treading on eggs
살얼음판을 밟는 듯한 생활이 제발 아니었으면...
2007-02-13
Consonant Assimilations (자음동화)
Some basic Pronunciation Rules in Korean language:
1. Nasalization (비음화)
When the syllable-final consonant of the first syllable
ends in the consonants 'ㄱ, ㄲ, ㅋ, ㄷ, ㅌ, ㅂ, ㅍ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅎ' and the
syllable-initial consonant of the second syllable begins with 'ㄴ, ㅁ', the
preceding consonants must be changed according to the following rule:
ㄱ,
ㅋ, ㄲ -> [ㅇ] 'ng'
ㅂ, ㅍ -> [ㅁ] 'm'
ㄷ, ㅌ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅈ, ㅊ, ㅎ-> [ㄴ] 'n'
ex. 한국말 -> [한궁말], 박물관 -> [방물관], 십만 -> [심만], 재미있는 -> [재미인는],
끝나다 -> [끝나다]
2. Lateralization (유음화)
When the consonant 'ㄹ' meets 'ㄴ'
(in either a 'ㄴㄹ' or 'ㄹㄴ' combination), 'ㄴ' is changed into 'ㄹ' sound.
ex. 연락 -> [열락], 난로 -> [날로], 전라도 -> [절라도](from 서강 한국어 Korean for Non-Native Speakers 1A p.11-12)
And that's why Korean read 'good morning' as 'gun moning', and 'Henry' becomes 'Helli'.
good morning -> [굳모닝] -> [군모닝]
Henry -> [헨리] -> [헬리]
Korean phonology is not only useful in learning Korean, but also in analyzing errors of Korean speakers in English pronunciation.
PS. Have you ever wondered why '감사합니다' is pronounced as [감사함니다] while the actual spelling is 'kamsahabnida'? The rule of Nasalization explains the reason.
The same for 청량리, 왕십리, 종로, 대학로, 강릉, etc.
And have you never wondered why '전라도' is written as 'Jeollado' in English while its actual spelling is 'jeonr(l)ado'? The rule of Lateralization is the key for understanding the reason.
At the end of today's class, after I have explained the rules of Nasalization and Literalization, Mr. M(my student) asked me the following question:
"How do Korean kids learn this at school?"
My answer:
"Actually we don't learn this. We just know it. But we have to be careful in writing. Thus dictation is important to practice those rules in spelling."
I once thought that the Korean pronunciation is very very easy - you just need to memorize the vowels and consonants and then everything is ok, just read it according to its sound. (Unlike the English vocabularies, Korean is just simple and easy - that was what I had in mind before.)
After studying KFL, I must say that the pronunciation rules and phonological changes in Korean are so complicated that sometimes even native Koreans are not sure about the correct pronunciation.
The more I study about it, it's something like a 'rediscovery' of my own language. And probably that's the joy of studying one's own language.
