Why is it that when I speak Korean to a Korean person in South Korea, that they sometimes take offense to it?

Question

I was a linguist in the U.S. Army, I went to school for 1 year at the Defense Military Institutes in Monterrey California, needless to say, I can speak Korean to a certain level of fluency. When I was in South Korea, I would speak Korean to someone on the subway and they would look at me as if I were trying to rob them, sometimes, of course. Some of my korean friends have told me that some korean people are shocked that an African American can speak the language period, and especially shocked that one can speak it so well.

I guess what they say is true, "hind sight is 20/20". Now that I think about it, I was on a subway to Gangnam when this korean female started speaking english to me in a crowded car, I was kind of set a back. It took me a few seconds to process that, I really didn't expect that out of the blue. But, my reaction wasn't nearly as reactive as some of the reactions that I have recieved with other Koreans, especially in the country side areas. I do realize that the language is somewhat sacred when it comes to the locals speaking it. But, it's really discouraging when you try to learn from other people and they just ostracize you. My friends and my girlfriend are great, they would never do that to me.

Answer 1

Koreans have one bad point that is they don't think others do like them. ee

Answer 2

I am not completely fluent in Korean, but can carry on a social conversation. I am a white American (living in China, but formerly in Korea, and have a Korean wife). I have gotten the same stares, so it isn't racial. Most Koreans are shocked to see any Westerner speaking passable Korean. On one occasion, I was on the phone to my sister-in-law when several people stared at me; they did nothing until I finished and hung up; then, lightly applauded and gave me a "thumbs up". Conversations between strangers is not usual in Korea, so that might have been part. I admit I am a little surprised when I meet someone from the West speaking Korea very well. Most Americans, having the luxury of most people knowing some English, are looked upon as not being able to speak any other language.

A Korean comedy routine goes like this: "A person who speaks two languages is said to be bilingual; a person who speaks three is trilingual. A person who speaks one language is ... an American!"

Answer 3

Hey Buzywil,

Unfortunately, I think Bill is right. I'm a Korean American born here, but I recently spent a little over a year in Korea in 2004-05. Korea is getting better, but the truth is racism is still a very large issue. Koreans also believe on some level that language is genetic. This isn't a rational thought of course.. but something that's bred into the culture. This makes sense when you think about how Koreans feel about Korean Americans that can't speak English. They feel some hostility because they believe that person is betraying their heritage and refusing to speak Korean. The stares you get are probably from a combination of racism and shock. I'd suggest talking to younger people more, they'd be more accepting and willing to speak with you. I'm sorry you've encountered this side of Korea... they've come a long way, but still have way longer to go.

Answer 4

Hello; I served in the UN in ROK for 18months, and got to speak the language very well; it is inflection and tone, rather than race (as some of our quick to play the race card viewers, like vanamont7; who just naturally assumed you are from the "inner city"!) I fricken hate that, and it's where most of our problems come from!

I got to speak the language well enough so that many assumed I knew it much better than I did, because the Koreans are very honored when their language is spoken properly, and very annoyed, when not. I am not saying your pronunciation is good or bad, just that this was a very real observation, during my time there.

Becuase you went to school for a year, and perhaps even speak other languages, doesn't mean you have the dialect down (again, don't take offense; this is just a possibility) some have the "gift" others don't...

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

They are shocked, not offended. I studied in Korea a few years back and picked up some of the language, which very few foreigners do (and even fewer Army dudes!). The Koreans were certainly taken back when I would converse with them in their native tongue. It would often take them some time to overcome their shock and talk back. I found it quite funny. Even just walking the streets of Korea, particularly towns outside of Seoul, people would look at me as if wondering 'what on earth is this little white chick doing here?', not in an agressive way of course, moreso in genuine surprise. They really don't seem to be used to the idea of foreigners being in their country, let alone speaking their language.

Answer 6

I dated a Korean girl that told me Koreans look down on African Americans as inferior. I think it's pretty common, because they shun any korean who marries a non-korean, so most that do are forced to leave korea.

Also the korean language has a lot of implied respect in the grammatical structure. I don't know how much of that you studied, but I have offended some koreans by being too direct with my questioning/conversation. I speak korean in the american style, not in the korean style and that puts them off, because they think it's unfriendly, or rude.

Answer 7

Actually, I think it's very impressive for an African-American citizen like yourself who has learned to speak Korean fluently. I'm not a Korean & I don't speak Korean. But as an Asian man, I think learning other ethnic language is not just a way to open the line of communication, but it also tells me that YOU ARE AN OPEN MINDED PERSON because when you learn to speak other people's language, you're also open up to them & learn about their cultures, societies, customs, herritages & their ways of life.

It doesn't matter about how you sound in foreign language. Educated people wouldn't laugh at you or feel shocked when they hear you speak their language instead they properly would respect you more. No one can speak foreign language in a perfect local accent, not unless they were born in that regions or lived their at very young age.

Keep on learning....good luck!

Answer 8

Koreans are particularly sensitive to foreigners. Don't take offense but it is very hard to usually see Afrian Americans in Korea. So most people will treat you differently. I know this because I'm Korean American and when I visit Korea, I can feel that they know I'm a little different. just don't take too much of an offense :]

Answer 9

I personally find the eastern countries less open-minded, which explains why they're not used to having foreigners speaking their mother language or adapting to their cultures in general. I'm an Asian, too. & When I first came back to visit my country, they looked at me as if I was someone else that didn't belong there. So, I would say maybe they're used to their own type & always stick to their own, as well as being family oriented. There's nothing you can do. They think the way they do & it's became a tradition. I guess they'll never change until the modernized generation. So ignore them. At least that's what I did. My trip was a whole lot better just worrying about myself

Answer 10

perhaps it is the way u are saying some of the things. u know, they have a formal and informal way of saying it. i am a korean-japanese american and when i was speaking english with my dad, the ppl around me were staring at me. i think it was from awe (or to some degree) but their faces looked like i was a threat to them.

Answer 11

I think its because of the shock. Im from Poland, and in Poland once on a subway I saw asians speaking Polish and it was very unusual. You don't normally see many asians in Poland, much less asians speaking polish. I think its because they don't expect a person not of their race to speak their language so well. thas probably it. Thats cool that you learned to speak korean so well.