Let's Learn Korean - Using Korean

Total words: 342

‘Using Korean: a guide to contemporary usage’ published by the prestigious Cambridge University Press must be the best , most comprehensive guide to the inns and outs of Korean that money can buy. Published this year, it is to my knowledge the first book of it’s kind that systematically and comprehensively deals with all aspects of Korean, with special relevance to the contemporary language. If you thought Roadmap to Korean was good then wait till you get your hands on this. I’d say Roadmap is good for beginners but for this is the book to take your Korean from upper beginner to intermediate, and intermediate to advanced levels.

The books synopsis is completely accurate:

This is a guide to Korean language usage for students who have already acquired the basics of the language. Unlike a conventional grammar, it highlights those areas of vocabulary and grammar which cause the most difficulty to English speakers. Clear, readable and easy to consult, it is essential for all those who wish to take their Korean beyond the beginner’s level.

The contents also suggest the wealth of knowledge inside.

Style and usage: 1. Sentence endings; 2. Honorifics; 3. Address terms and pronouns; 4. Language for daily situations; 5. Conversational bridges; 6. Softening strategies; 7. Local dialects; 8. Written versus spoken language; Vocabulary: 9. Native and borrowed words; 10. Word formation; 11. Some vocabulary contrasts; 12. Proverbs and idioms; 13. Sound symbolism; 14. Numbers; Grammar: 15. Verb types; 16. Tense and aspect; 17. Modality; 18. Negation; 19. Particles; 20. Comparison; 21. Conjunctives; 22. Complex sentences.

It also has a conjuctions index in the back that deal with all those past the basic level (i.e ~지도 모르다) pointing you to the relative chapter with at least several examples.

So far the most valuable sections for me have been those on conversational bridges, softening strategies, word formation, proverbs and idioms, and sound symbolism.

This is the book that will make things click and also a works great as a reference grammar.

Get it here with free world wide delivery. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/WWW/WEBPAGES/showbook.php?id=0521667887

Posted by 제임스 on Thursday Nov 6, 2008 in Korean Writing | |

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트랙백:

Thanks for the recommendation. I think I’ll pick this up in a couple of months.

Posted by 강미 on Friday Nov 7, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Has anyone seen this book in Korean bookstores? Or will I have to order it?

Posted by Sandra on Friday Nov 7, 2008 at 09:30 AM
I just received this book and I’m so excited to open it up!

Posted by Gabriel on Sunday Nov 30, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Sandra, I haven’t seen this book in Korean bookstores so you may have to order it. It will be well worth the extra effort you go to though.

Glad to hear that people are buying it.

Posted by 제임스 on Friday Dec 12, 2008 at 12:00 PM
It does sound interesting and I’m going to order it but I first have to completely disagree with you on the usefulness of “Roadmap to Korean”. I think it’s one of the worst book I ever read on learning a language : it’s so full of wrong assumptions and plain mistakes, I have trouble believing it has been proofread.

I have planned to write an article to warn my readers about this book but the thought of having to read it again makes me cringe…

Posted by Jérôme on Friday Dec 19, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Jérôme,
If you do write up a review for"Roadmap to Korean” feel free to post it here as well (assuming you wrote it in English rather than French).

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호랑이 굴에들어가야 호랑이 새끼를 잡는다

Posted by 王音癡 on Saturday Dec 20, 2008 at 06:25 AM
Jérôme, to a degree I agree with you. Actually looking back at what I wrote I gave Roadmap to Korean far too much credit. I found it interesting when I first read it, when I myself was a new language learner, but looking back I don’t like the way it treats almost every aspect of Korean like it is crazily difficult/almost impossible.

Also for the size of the book the depth it goes into is very shallow. I only noticed this after reading Using Korean and discovering Richard Harris’s book is anything but comprehensive. I look forward to the review if you can manage ot read it again, in the mean time I’m sure you’ll be a lot happier if you pick up Using Korean to read also.

Posted by 제임스 on Saturday Dec 20, 2008 at 11:39 PM
It’s a deal: if I can manage another read, I’ll post a review in French on my blog and in English here.
And I’ll definitely order Using Korean in the meanwhile.

Posted by Jérôme on Monday Dec 22, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Btw, your blog looks great. I just wish I could easily read more of it. French is next on my list of languages to become fluent in after I reach a higher level of Korean. Hopefully in time I will be able to read and comment on your site. I’ll check back for updates in the mean time

Posted by 제임스 on Tuesday Dec 23, 2008 at 01:03 AM