강미 | learning koreanWho are you?
My name is Kelly Schmitt Youngberg. 강미 is my Korean name, given to me by someone I once knew. I never used it while in Korea, but it works well in identifying my Korean language study persona. (강미, in fact, is the second Korean name I've had. I abandoned the first in favor of 강미, because 강미 holds greater personal meaning for me.)
What is your connection to Korea?
Back in the 80s, I took a year off from college to teach English in Korea (this was back in the days when even less was required of E-2 visa applicants). I was so enamored of Korea that after I graduated from college, I returned, but this time I wasn't interested in teaching English. I ended up working as a recruiter for the language institute system for which I worked and happily spent another three and a half years working and living in Korea.
How long have you been studying Korean?
Off and on since 1988.
After living in Korea for so long, don't you speak any Korean?
No, not so much. I studied with an assortment of friends and students and formally studied it for a four-month period (meaning I took a class with other students). Just saying that makes it sound better than it really was...let's just say that right now, if you think I know something, I probably don't.
Why are you studying Korean now?
Learning to speak Korean fluently is one of my life goals.
I'd like to return to Korea to live, but the timing is not now (and may never be) right. So I content myself with my language study, some culture and history, and a Korea-related project or two on the side.
Uh...your translations could use some work.
That wasn't a question, but you're right. So could my spelling, my grammar, my pronunciation, and my knowledge of Korean history, thought, and culture. It's a good thing you can't see my handwriting.
If you know (or even just think you might know) more than me, don't be afraid to comment. The more my ignorance is exposed, the more I'll learn.
Where did you get that nice image?
The Big Hominid made it for me.