Category: Learning English (Page 6 of 8)

Say….

2012/12/27 / Nic / 24 Comments

Even though my husband understands the correct pronunciation of English words, some words will still come out in Korean English. And sometimes it’s quite funny. My siblings like to set him up so he says certain words. “Beach” and “Beaches” is one that he just can’t get right. If I get him to repeat after me, he may get it on the 5th try. For other words like “fork”, which in Korean English is “pork”, if he says it without thinking he’ll say “pork” but very easily he can change to the correct pronunciation of “fork”. “Beaches” though… it always sounds like something else.

My Korean teacher (who is Korean) often made fun of the Korean way of saying “beach” and “beaches”. He said too many Koreans who come to Australia say things like this, “I love Australian bitches!” when of course they mean “beaches”. Or they ask someone, “Excuse me, which way to the bitch?” Hehe. I know what they mean but others who are not used to the Korean accent may not.

“Sit” is another one that can be funny because they may change it to a “sh” sound, which completely changes the meaning of the word! Even my teacher who has been in Australia for years and has good English still accidentally said to a student, “Please shit anywhere.” He realised immediately after and laughed pretty hard.

Another problem Koreans learning English have, is differentiating between the F and P sound. English F (also PH) words are said with a P sound in Korean so Koreans have to practice their F sounds a lot when learning English. Sometimes they practice so much that they begin to even say English P words with an F. When saying something like “park” and changing it to “fark” it can sound pretty close to a bad word! Learning another language can be so stressful but there can be some really funny moments. I’m sure once I know more Korean I’ll be accidentally saying some bad things.

Laundry

2012/12/07 / Nic / 6 Comments

My first thought when in this type of situation is that he hasn’t understood me so I usually repeat myself. Sometimes though, he understand perfectly and is making a joke. Because I always jump to the conclusion that he doesn’t understand, I usually miss the joke. Not only that, but often it’s a joke that may be strange or weird in English. Maybe those words together or that joke is hilarious in Korean but in English I just end up being confused.

Also a reminder that there is a TUMBLR now. I’m waiting to see if people are interested in submitting things to it so instead of it being a replica of this blog, it would have more of a community feel.

Speecher

2012/11/29 / Nic / 13 Comments

I have to smile at some of the English he comes out with sometimes. So while his English obviously benefits from being married to a native speaker, it doesn’t mean that I can correct him constantly. It’s not good for a relationship to have one partner always correcting the other, so there are times when I have to let things go, especially if we are focused on watching a movie. There are varying levels of correction. I might not correct at all, I might subtly correct him by repeating what he said in the right way, or if there is time and it’s appropriate to, I’ll correct him and give him an explanation why.

“Speecher” does make sense though haha. I don’t know why he was concerned about whether Abraham Lincoln was good at speaking when the movie is about him fighting vampires!

Australian Accent?

2012/11/12 / Nic / 17 Comments

Marie asks:

“So I have a Korean friend in Australia. He learned American English, but since he’s been in AUS he’s developed a more Aussie accent rather than an American one.

So does your husband have a Aussie Accent when he speaks English?”

Hehe.. Good question.

He doesn’t, he has a Korean accent and I actually hope he always has it. He does sometimes attempt saying very Aussie things but I don’t like it.

Why don’t I like it? I just really prefer the Korean accent to the Aussie accent. Even though I’m Australian myself, I find some Aussie accents so grating. I’m sure many of you might be thinking “But Aussie accents are so hot! I love *insert popular Australian male actor here*!” Who is hot at the moment? Chris Hemsworth? Yes, but those types usually have a milder Australian accent. I’m from a rural area where the Australian accent can be really really strong, especially for men. It is a mumbling nasal sound with a tendency to go up at the end of every sentence, whether it’s a question or not. Just not my cup of tea. Although I’m originally from an area with very strong rural accents, my parents were originally from Sydney and I just never picked up the rural accent. I have a milder accent and only slip up on a few words that may betray where I’m from.

I just really love the Korean accent so I don’t want my husband to even have a slight Aussie accent. We know Korean guys that do though, or almost have an Australian accent. They usually practice copying the way Australians speak. Even though in Korea they are taught American English (which causes some problems when they come to Australia) some can adjust their accent quite quickly. If they know enough English before they come to Australia, within a year they may have an Australian accent.

My husband however…. he just lives in his own little world. He just doesn’t really pick up the accent. I think there are a few reasons for this. One being that my husband speaks quite slowly and softly. This doesn’t lend itself well to the faster Australian way of speaking. Another reason I think, is his English level. He got his English to a decent level and just kinda left it there. Other Korean guys we know are continually striving to perfect their English and mimic native speakers.

He does pick up things I say, and I pick up things he says (What a nice!) but I don’t think my accent is strong enough to make a big influence on him.

Who knows though. Maybe in 10 years he will be speaking like an Aussie bloke. Streuth!

Blister

2012/10/26 / Nic / 10 Comments

Apparently ‘blister’ in Korean is ‘muljib’. Which does actually translate as ‘waterhouse’. Of course it would be unlikely that someone would guess that she was trying to say blister in English which is why my husband was in hysterics laughing at it.

This friend is the friend I went to see Psy with. She is from the same area my husband is from in Korea and is in Australia for her working holiday visa. She is likely to pop up in some other comics too (her English name is Adele).

Belly

2012/10/23 / Nic / 6 Comments

The Korean language allows for dramatic and poetic statements and phrases in everyday conversation but when directly translated to English they can sound a bit funny…

Learning to do what?

2012/10/09 / Nic / 16 Comments

I was very confused for a few moments! He says that’s just how Koreans pronounce saxophone, but I’m not sure if that’s how Koreans pronounce it or just how he pronounces it. If you have a Korean partner who is more comfortable speaking in Korean than English, ask them. For my husband at least, it’s because he is pronouncing ‘sax’ like ‘sex’ and dropping the ‘o’ sound. I was relieved to find out his conservative Christian aunt was not in fact taking up work as a phone sex operator, but instead learning how to play the instrument the saxophone!