In my last column, I touched briefly on some of the differences with Korean that can create difficulties for those beginning to study the language—like myself.

While the previously discussed differences were very apparent aspects of the language, such as the vocabulary and grammar, there are more hidden differences with Korean. The style of communication makes studying it an interesting, and at times astonishing, experience for the student.

One of the first things the student of Korean will encounter is speech levels. The student encounters speech levels when words need to be altered to fit the situation and to pay appropriate respect to the person the student is addressing.

What they may not know however, is that this is just one part of a whole set of differences in the language, which stem from the influence of Confucianism on Korean culture.

Although a summary of Confucian ideals is well beyond the scope of this column, the most important thing to know is that there can be five possible relationships between subjects, determined by age and status.

We begin with the concept of “jeong,” which is the idea that people need to have knowledge of their position in the hierarchy in order for relationships to be established, and for it to blossom from there.

From the language student’s perspective, these differences can be somewhat invisible unless they are educated in Korean culture or better yet, living in the culture.

It is unobvious, for example, that the innocent-sounding question “What’s your name?” can be considered unnecessary and even rude, due to the preference for calling people by their familial titles (except in close relationships or between elders and inferiors.)

What this means is that the question “how old are you?” is the more valid one, as it helps the subjects work out the nature of their relationship. That then acts as a basis for them to know which questions to ask next.

While this difference in the language has now become familiar to me, there is another I am finding more difficult.

Pronouns are less common in Korean, yet even among these the second-person “you” occupies a special place. It is generally acceptable to use “you” only in close relationships.

I found this out first hand when my dictionary-translated “tang-shin” made listeners either uncomfortable or it send them into fits of laughter. I’ve since learned that this “you” pronoun is usually reserved for formal use or between married couples.

While adapting your style of questioning to fit Confucian teachings is one thing, the dropping of the “you” pronoun altogether is much harder for the student who has grown up to the know the world in terms of “you” and “I.”

James can be reached through his blog shootingwords.wordpress.com—Ed.