Thursday, March 11, 2010

Language Barrier

I am trying my best to learn Korean, but my progress is slow. Here are some funny exchanges of the day, mostly due to an inability to understand each other.

This first one is over the school chat system, with my new co-teacher, a woman I really like.
jenifer(DH1000) 님의 말:
Good morning! Do you know if we will teach 2nd period today?
jenifer(DH1000) 님의 말:
because of the elections
권영심(DH915) 님의 말:
no, we have no class today.
jenifer(DH1000) 님의 말:
No class all day?
jenifer(DH1000) 님의 말:
or just no class for 2nd period?
권영심(DH915) 님의 말:
sorry, now the head teacher said we have a class today
jenifer(DH1000) 님의 말:
For 2nd period?
jenifer(DH1000) 님의 말:
Should I come meet you right now?
권영심(DH915) 님의 말:
no. you don't need teach today. i just manage the student because of elections

I have to scan some info and send it to the EPIK office. I brought it into the admin office for the scanning. 20 minutes later:
Teacher who introduced herself as someone who was very good at English: Chyennipur, the scanner is not working. We will do it this afternoon.
Me: I think the scanner is not on.
Teacher: Ok
Me: It might work better if it is on.
Teacher: Ok, scanner not working, maybe this afternoon.
Me: Riiiight, but maybe if we turn it on, it will work.
Teacher: Ok. Scanner error.
Me: What if we turn it on. See the button right here? Turn it on.
Teacher: (turns on machine) Scanner is error. This afternoon you will have scan.
Me: Well, I need it sooner than that. Please try again, now that the scanner is on.
Teacher: Ok. (Walks away.)