Lecture Notes: Korean Language and Social Etiquette

Introduction

• Discussion on how language usage varies based on relationships and social contexts in Korean.

Addressing Others in Korean

• Respectful Addressing:
  • Avoid using "너" (you) or "야" (hey) for strangers or elders.
  • Instead, use titles like "teacher" or "선생님" when speaking to someone in an authoritative position or older.
• Humble Speech:
  • Use "저" instead of "나" (I) to show humility when addressing strangers or elders.

Interactions in Korean Culture

• On the Street:
  • Common to interact with strangers, using respectful terms.
  • Terms for addressing strangers:
    • "Man" (sometimes used for middle-aged men).
    • "Middle-aged woman" (formally addressed).
    • "Unmarried lady" (for younger or unmarried women).
• Vocabulary for Politeness:
  • Affirmative and negative responses can be nuanced. For instance, ‘yes’ or ‘no’ can be used in different contexts to imply understanding or agreement/disagreement.

Social Scenarios and Conversational Cues

• Common Scenarios:
  • Buying or refusing to buy items.
  • Engaging or refusing to engage in activities like playing baseball.
• Conversational Cues:
  • Use of "yes" and "no" in context:
    • "Yes" can affirm a negative statement (e.g., not wanting to do something).
    • "No" confirms a negative action (e.g., not doing something).

Addressing Peers and Familiarity

• Pranksters and Recognition:
  • Casual interactions among friends may involve playful banter.
  • Recognizing acquaintances might involve confirming knowledge of them despite playful denials.
• Informal Addressing:
  • Use of informal language with known entities, while maintaining respectful undertones when necessary.

Conclusion

• Vocabulary Review:
  • Importance of understanding the subtle differences in meaning between similar or seemingly synonymous expressions.
  • Encouraged to practice these differences to enhance communication skills.