I feel like my whole life I've taken for granted the ability to understand everyone around me. It really makes everything a little more difficult when you want to communicate with someone, but you don't speak the same language and there's no translator nearby. It has often been feeling like I've embarked upon a four month long game of charades. But it has shown me how powerful body language actually is. I'm surprised at how much I've been able to interact with people without speaking.
For example, eye drops were easy to ask for at the store because of how distinct the motion is that you make when you use them. Other things, though, like "I'm not sure how to use my locker, can you help me?" Have been a bit trickier. But for the most part, there have been Korean students all around who speak both English and Korean who are happy to translate. It's very helpful and it makes everything easier, especially if we're trying to go downtown or order food at a restaurant or anything like that.
There have definitely been some Korean students, though, who come up and try really hard to talk to me even though they speak very little English. It's confusing but pretty flattering. Yesterday, I was sitting with some other foreigners when a Korean who I had met earlier came up to me and started to wave and point and say things like "photo time!" and "Hi! Hi!" mixed in with a lot of other stuttered Korean words. He ran over and grabbed a friend who told me that he was just saying "Hi, remember me?" It was lots of fun.
For the most part, none of the older Korean who work in the dorms or the cafeterias speak English, nor do most of the people who work in convenience stores. But it hasn't been too bad. I've been able to get by for the most part with just a few simple phrases.
언녕하세요! - Annyeonghaseyo! - Hello!
감사합니다 - Kamsahamnida - Thank you
안녕히계세요 - Annyeonghigyeseyo! - Goodbye (If the other person is staying)
And another handy one to know:
사랑해! - Saranghe! - I love you!
For example, eye drops were easy to ask for at the store because of how distinct the motion is that you make when you use them. Other things, though, like "I'm not sure how to use my locker, can you help me?" Have been a bit trickier. But for the most part, there have been Korean students all around who speak both English and Korean who are happy to translate. It's very helpful and it makes everything easier, especially if we're trying to go downtown or order food at a restaurant or anything like that.
There have definitely been some Korean students, though, who come up and try really hard to talk to me even though they speak very little English. It's confusing but pretty flattering. Yesterday, I was sitting with some other foreigners when a Korean who I had met earlier came up to me and started to wave and point and say things like "photo time!" and "Hi! Hi!" mixed in with a lot of other stuttered Korean words. He ran over and grabbed a friend who told me that he was just saying "Hi, remember me?" It was lots of fun.
For the most part, none of the older Korean who work in the dorms or the cafeterias speak English, nor do most of the people who work in convenience stores. But it hasn't been too bad. I've been able to get by for the most part with just a few simple phrases.
언녕하세요! - Annyeonghaseyo! - Hello!
감사합니다 - Kamsahamnida - Thank you
안녕히계세요 - Annyeonghigyeseyo! - Goodbye (If the other person is staying)
And another handy one to know:
사랑해! - Saranghe! - I love you!
4 very important phrases to use often. Excuse me or I am sorry might rank up there.
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