Ambrose Bierce got it right.
I wouldn't necessarily call Koreans "serpents", however they do have a treasure for which I definitely long ... the ability to speak Korean.
I often tell my students that during my time in Korea I am attempting to learn the language, but it is very difficult for me. They then usually give me a goofy smile and say, "Teacher! Korean so easy! You crazy." Well for you ... duh. Korean was not the language I grew up with. My parents don't speak Korean (thanks a lot Mom and Dad) and it thus does not come naturally to me.
My students then complain that English is extremely difficult and not fun to learn. I then find myself (without thinking) reply, "No it's not! It's really easy and tons of fun!" It is only after this falls out of my mouth that I actually take a step back and evaluate what I just said.
During my short time in Korea, I have been brought me to seriously consider both the power of language and its limitations. How jealous I am of Korean's ability to speak Korean! I often find myself thinking how lucky they are to be able to effectively get their point across and reach a mutual understanding with pretty much everyone they come into contact with. However good my Korean (let's face it, it will never be awesome), or however good their English, I have yet to be (and probably will never be) completely satisfied with any conversation I've had (or will have) with a non-native English speaker.
Oh how extremely valuable is the ability to express oneself through language.
My inability to speak Korean, which leads to the suppression of many of my daily thoughts and feelings, has drastically changed the way I think and interact with others. I consider myself somewhat of a humorous and sarcastic person, one who definitely relies on the a listener's ability to understand and fully comprehend both the context and underlying meaning of my speech. However, in Korea THIS DOES NOT TRANSLATE AT ALL. Humor is completely thrown out the window, from 15 stories high, and is splattered on the pavement, dead as death. (and you can't get much dead-er than that).
While teaching I have had to drastically change both my vocabulary, sentence structure, and pace at which I speak. I repeat everything. EVERYTHING. In only two weeks time I have found myself even thinking in much simpler, non-complex sentences. I do not like this.
I have never before realized my complete and utter dependence upon the English language. What I wouldn't give to be able to speak freely and have it be completely understood to my fellow teachers, home stay family, and students. Not even to my host-sister or my co-teacher (the two individuals who I interact with most ... and who are semi-fluent in English) can I fully or easily express my thoughts and desires.
When I have previously worked with (English speaking) children in either an academic or summer camp environment I have very much relied on my humor to relate to and form friendships with my students and campers. This does not work in Korea. At all. Crack a joke in front of a classroom of 30+ Korean high school students and they all look at you as if you are an alien (many of whom probably already think you are).
I have come to face the fact that this is pretty much what the rest of my year will be like. It's not awful, I've just yet to fully adapt to this situation ... and it will definitely be a challenge.
Oh well. So it goes. (I've been reading a lot of Vonnegut lately)
On the bright side, this language gap has proven to elicit some pretty hilarious situations.
Yesterday I was able to successfully explain to one of my students that the word "poop" can be used as both a verb and a noun. After an extensive array of hand gestures and sounds, we arrived at the word "poop". When writing her daily schedule, she (my student) wanted to make known the exact time she schedules her morning bowel movements.
"7:30 am - I make poop." The most detailed schedule a student of mine has written thus far.
It is also comforting to know that I am not the only one who is dealing with the difficulties of communication. As I speak little to no Korean in the classroom, my students must acclimate themselves to hearing a native speaker, which at times confuses them because of my pronunciation (I differentiate my "L" sounds from my "R" sounds) and my emphasis on certain words in each sentence. It is a struggle for all in that which I call my classroom. But it is something that I am learning to adjust to, and hopefully will be more comfortable with as the semester progresses.
Roren
How one of my students spelled my name today.
"3:00 pm - English time with Roren!"
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