A love for languages drives this experience.
Fail as I might to learn them, I can't help but love them all.
Each has its own unique past, nuance, quirks, and flaws.
Each possessing infinite ways to twist into lyrics, jokes, insults, poems, and compliments.
Korean for all its confusing grammar and unending need for age specific tenses has my heart at the moment. Don't worry Spanish, we go way back. And English well, I couldn't leave you if I tried.
Handwritten hello. Translation: "Are you at peace?"
I hope so.
A two way translation of the Little Prince, classic in any language.
I hope so.
A few interesting tidbits about Hangul as it's known in Korea, aka Korean, everywhere else:
Although Korean is an alphabet (in which one shape largely corresponds to one sound), the letters are not written linearly. Instead, they are grouped into syllable blocks. For example, the name of the script is written not as ㅎㅏㄴㄱㅡㄹ [h-a-n-g-u-l] but as 한글 [han-gul]
Rather than evolving from pictures or abstract shapes, the Korean script was a deliberate invention by King Sejong in 1443ish. A quote from the man himself about the ease with which one can learn the alphabet:
- A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over; a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days.
Hmm not a real confidence booster for this little language learner....
Hangul is said to be one of the most scientific language because its 14 consonants mimic the shape the mouth takes when forming their sounds. That's all well and good if your mouth is willing to make those sounds. Mine still needs some coaxing.