Friday, March 6, 2009

제일 한국인 친구 - Story

I wrote a story in Korean about my first Korean friend and meeting him again. I learned how to write dialog finally atleast. ^^

2009년 2월 7일, 오늘 저는 생일 파티 했어요 같이 은경하고 희은 파티 했어요. 제 생일이 2월 4일는데 하지만 그하루가 별로 시간이 없었는데. 그런데 저는 친구들을 학교에 만났어서 2시 15분에 집에 뎌났어요. 버스로 15분 걸렸어서 2시 반쯤에 학교에 도착했어요. 은경언니는 "우리는 도서관에서 만나요"라고 말했어서 저는 만나러 도서관에서 갔어요. 하지만 희은하고 은경언니는 없었어요. 아이구 은경언니는 "알리샤 가지 마!"라고 말했어요. 그렇지만 저는 음악을 듣고 있어서 들을 수 없었어요. 그러나 괜찮았어서 은경언니는 빠리 갔어요. ㅋㅋㅋ 그런데 같이 '비스네스' 빌딩에 갔어서 희은이 여전히 일하고 있었어요. 4시까지요. 3시에 우리는 기다려러 도서관에서 갔어요.
저는 도서관에 누구를 봤어요. 그남자를 알았어요? 천천히 걸어 갔어 그남자를 더 봤어요. 진짜 제 친구옜어요? 생각했어요 하지만 그남자의 얼굴을 볼 수 없었어서 정말 모르겠었어요. 그리고 저는 정말 부끄러웠어서 아무것도 안 말했어요.
가끔 제가 바보옜는데 그리고 이하루는 바보옜어요.

왜 아주 부끄러웠어요? 몰랐어요 그런데 저는 같이 제 친구들이 앉았어요. 저는 "내 제일 한국인 친구가 여기에 있어요"라고 말했어요.
은경은 "그럼, 왜 안 말해요?"라고 질문했어요.
저는 "어, 6월부더 그남자를 안 봤어요.'라고 말했어요.
은경은 "그래요, 바로 '안녕' 말해요"라고 말했어요.
저는 "하지만 제가 정말 부끄러워요 아이구 제가 바보예요."라고 말했어요.
은경은 "아냐, 그남자께 '안녕' 말해라"라고 말했어요.
저는 "ㅇㅋ 그래요 화이팅!"라고 말했어요 그래서 그남자께 걸어 갔어요 이번 저는 그남자의 얼구굴을 볼 수 있었어요. 그남자는 진짜 제 친구옜어요! 좋아 죽겠다!
저는 "씰래지만"라고 말했어요.
그남자는 "어 너!"라고 말했어요 제가 미소했어요.
저는 "네, 안녕하세요! 요즘 어떻게 지내세요?"라고 질문했어요.
그남자는 "잘 지내. 너는?"라고 질문했어요 제 미소가 컸어요.
저는 "잘 지내요. 어, 정말 어떻게 지내요?"라고 질문했어요.
그남자는 "진짜 잘 지내. 그런데, 너는 한국어를 배워?"라고 질문했어요.
저는 "네! 하지만 아직 잘 뭇 해요."라고 말했어요.
그남자는 "그럼, 혼자 공부해?"라고 질문했어요.
저는 "어 아니오, 같이 제 한국인 친구들이 한국어를 공부해요"라고 말했어요. 제가 은경하고 희은께 들이댔어요.
그남자는 "그래. 너는 여전히 여기에 일하고 있어?"라고 질문했어요.
저는 "물론. 참, 당신은 여전히 SUU 대학에 가요?"라고 질문했어요.
그남자는 "예."라고 말했어요.
저는 "어 그래요? 쇵 씨는 이대학에 나왔어요."라고 말했어요.
그남자는 "예, 알았어. 이학교의 수어가 신기해. 그리고 SUU 대학교가 더 어러워."라고 말했어요. 우리는 좀 웃했어요.
저는 "어, ㅇㅋ 그래요. 당신은 다시 숙제 할 수 있어서 뎌날게요. 안녕!"라고 말했어요.
그남자는 "예, 안녕."라고 말했어요.

큰 미소와 저는 은경하고 희은을 다시 만났어요. 저는 "어머! 제가 너무 부끄러워요."라고 말했어요. 그러나 제 미소가 여전히 컸어요. 그남자를 다시 봤어서 정말 행복했어요. 왜요? 그남자는 누가옜어요? 그남자 이름이 커 영석옜어요. 그렇지만 저에게 그남자 이름이 러파일이엤어요. 제 제일 한국인 친구이고 저는 한국어를 배워서 그남자니까요. 러파일은 괜짱히 착했어요. 짱이엤어요.
2년쯤전 2월 14일에 조는 정말 슬퍼서 제 남자친구가 저를 안 사랑했어이고 생문 없었는데. 그렇지만 러파일은 저에게 생문을 줬어요. 러파일만 저에게 생문을 줬어요. 그리고 늘 러파일은 저에게 좋았어요. 러파일이 많이 좋아했어요. 저는 라파일을 다시 볼 수 없는 생각했어요. 그래서 러파일을 봤어전은 저는 너무 행북했어요.
그런데, 큰 비밀...저는 한국에 가고 싶어서 분 러파일 이렇게 원했어요. 저는 남자친구 러파일 이렇게 원했어요. 어 하지만 러파일을 안 원했어서 이미 러파일이 괜짱히 좋은 여자친구를 있었는데. 그사람들의 사랑이 좋았어요. 저는 그사람들을 같이 영원히 행복하기를 바랬어요.

****************************

In english now

First Korean Friend

2009 Febuary 7th, Today I had my birthday party. I had the party with Eunkyoung and Heeun. My birthday was on the 4th of febuary, but I didn't have time that day. Anyway I left my house at 2:15 so I could meet my friends at school. It took about 15 minutes by bus so I arriaved at school about 2:30. Eunkyoung had said "Lets meet at the library." so I went to the library to meet them, but Eunkyoung and Heeun weren't there. Oh man, Eunkyoung said to me "Alisha, don't go!" but I was listening to music and could not hear her. It was okay though because Eunkyoung went fast. LOL Anyway we all went together to the Buisness building because Heeun still had work until 4:00. At 3:00 we went to the library to wait.
At the library I saw someone. Did I know that guy? I walked slowly to see more of the man's face. Could it really be my friend? I thought so but I couldn't see the man's face so I didn't really know. I was shy so I didn't say anything.
Sometimes I'm an idiot and this day I was an idiot. Why was I so shy? I didn't know, but anyway I sat down with my friends.
"My first Korean friend is here." I said.
"In that case why don't you say something?" Eunkyoung asked.
"Ah, it has been 6 months since I last saw him." I answered her.
"Oh really, just go say hi." Eunkyoung said to me.
"But I'm really shy. Oh man I'm an idiot." I said to her.
"No you aren't, just go and say hi to that guy!" She told me.
"Okay, right. Lets do it!" I said and walked over to the guy. This time I could see the man's face. That guy really was my friend! AWESOME/WORD!(can't really think of better translation lol)

"Excuse me." I said.
"Oh you!" He siad and I smiled.
"Yep, hello! How have you been doing?" I asked.
"I have been doing well, how about you?" He asked and my smile was big.
"I have been well. Ah really, how are you?" I asked.
"I have really been doing fine, by the way you're learning Korean?" The man asked.
"Yes! but I can't speak well yet." I said.
"In that case, do you study alone?" He asked.
"Ah, no. I study with my korean friends." I said and pointed to Eunkyoung and Heeun.
"Is that so. Do you still work here?" The man asked.
"Of course. Oh yeah, do you still go to SUU?" I asked.
"Yes." The man said.
"Oh really? Shung came back to school here." I said.
"Yes, I know. This school is better...and SUU is too difficult." The man said and we laughted.
"Oh okay, right. You can get back to your homework I'm leaving. Bye!" I said.
"Yes, bye." The man said.

With a big smile I meet with Eunkyoung and Heeun again. "Oh man, I am too shy!" I said but my smile was still big. I was really happy because I saw that man again. Why? Who was that man? The man's name was Kuh youngsuk but to me his name was Raphel. My first Korean friend and the reason I learned Korean. Raphel was an extremely good person. He was amazing.

2 Years ago febuary 14th I was really sad because my boyfriend didn't love me and I didn't get any birthday presents on my birthday, but Raphel gave me a birthday gift. He was the only one to give me a gift, and he was always good to me. I liked Raphel alot. I thought I could never see Raphel again so seeing him again made me really happy.
Anyway, a big secret...I want to go to Korea because I wanted a person like Raphel. I wanted a boyfriend like Raphel. Ah, I didn't want Raphel though, he already had an amazingly good girlfriend. Thier love was good. I hope they are happy together forever.

***************************
I didn't add any flurishes in the English version since it just feels wrong to add them since I don't know how to do them in Korean yet...so yeah. I had some of it checked over by a Korean friend but she didn't have enough time.

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Second Korean Fanfiction 11/27/08

Again to show progess and to point out common errors to those learning Korean. Also do be mindful I love 동방신기 and I like writing strange things in the middle of the night that are usually very silly or melodramatic. XD

Written November 27th 2008:
POV Micky 유천

둘이서


준수는 흔자 갔어. 어디로 갔어? 몰라 하지만 준수에게 믿어, 그래서 내가 기다려. 이미 늦어 언제 갔어. 그리고 지금 한시 예. 너는 어디에 있어? 뭐 하겠어? 이미 모두가 잤어. 흔자 너에게 기다려. 너가 아기 아니에 알아. 너가 괜찮아 알아. 그래나 아직 내가 기다려. 지금 두시 예. 아직 너는 집에 없어. 정말 늦 하고 있어. 어디에 겠있어? 알아 바래. 너는 정화해 아니에. 내가 정화해? 아니오. 아마 너는 바빠겠어.

나는 너의 침대에 앉아. 기다려만. 나는 내 반자를 봐. 이반자를 너가 주었어. 우리는 갘아 반자들이 있어.

"이젠 우리는 정말 친구들이에요." 너는 말했어. 나는 정말 행복했어. 내 제일 좋운 친구 었어. 우리는 칠한이에. 항상 둘이서...바래...정말 좋으니가. 한상 너를 보겠어.

아마 너에게 사랑해. 하지만 정말 모르겠어.
아마 그거는 사랑이에.

세시예 언제 너의 문이 열어. 그리고 너는 집에 있어.

"어 형, 깨워있는 뭐 하고 있어요?" 준수는 질문해.
"너에게 기다려." 나는 대답해.
"그래요? 어 왜요? 너는 것이 필요해요?" 준수는 질문해.
"아니오. 바로 보고 싶으니가." 나는 대답해. 그리고 너는 수집히 미소해.
"정말? 어 형, 너는 너무 칠잘해요." 준수는 말해.
"네, 너는 내 친구예. 그리고 너무 어려운 자 언제 너는 가깝아 없어." 나는 말해. 너는 다시 미소해 그리고 너는 나 옆에 앉아.
"그럼, 지금 나는 여기에 있어요. 너는 자습니가?" 준수는 성가시게굴어. 나는 준수에게 큰 껴안아.
"네! 지금 너는 집에 안녕히 있어. 저는 자습나다." 나는 성가시게굴어. 그리고 우리는 저금 웃어.
"그럼 잘 자요." 준수는 말해. 나는 서.
"네, 너도 잘 자."
"잠까만요...."

So many, many errors here as well...again the incorrect 너+가 = 니가. I didn't realize 가깝다 was irregular when I wrote it, should be 가까워. Some sentance structure errors...okay probably alot but this was the most complex thing I had written at the time and even now I'm not 100% sure on how some of it should be fixed. I used the wrong words trying to say "Can't do/Can do" exp: 자습니가(Wrong in its own right: 자습니까) should be 자 수 있어요. Some of this I used a dictionary for so some of the words I don't know. I am uncertain if they are correct or not as Korean/English dictionaries are infamous for being error ridden.

How it should probably look(Or at least closer to right):

둘이서


준수는 흔자 갔어. 어디로 갔어? 몰라. 하지만 준수에게 믿어, 그래서 내가 기다려. 이미 늦었어 언제 갔어. 그리고 지금 한시예. 너는 어디에 있어? 뭐 하겠어? 이미 모두가 잤어. 흔자 너에게 기다려. 니가 아기 아니고 알아. 니가 괜찮아. 알아. 그래나 여전히 내가 기다려. 지금 두시예. 여전히 너는 집에 없어. 정말 늦어예. 어디에 겠있어? 알고 싶어. 너는 안 전화했어. 내가 전화해? 아니오. 아마 너는 바빠겠어.

나는 너의 침대에 앉아. 기다려만. 나는 내 반자를 봐. 이반자를 니가 주었어. 우리는 갘아 반자들이 있어.

"이젠 우리는 정말 친구들이에요." 너는 말했어. 나는 정말 행복했어. 내 제일 좋운 친구 있었어. 우리는 칠한이에. 항상 둘이서...바래...너를 정말 좋아해. 한상 너를 보고 싶어.

아마 너를 사랑해. 하지만 정말 모르겠어.
아마 이거는 사랑이에.

세시에 언제 너의 문이 열어고 너는 집에 있어.

"어 형, 깨워있는 뭐 하고 있어요?" 준수는 질문해.
"너에게 기다려." 나는 대답해.
"그래요? 어 왜요? 너는 나에서(로?) 것이 필요해요?" 준수는 질문해.
"아니오. 바로 보고 싶어." 나는 대답해. 너는 수집히 미소해.
"정말? 어 형, 너는 너무 칠잘해요." 준수는 말해.
"네, 너는 내 친구예. 그리고 너는 가까워 없어땐 너무 어려운 자." 나는 말해. 너는 다시 미소해 그리고 너는 나 옆에 앉아.
"그럼, 지금 나는 여기에 있어요. 너는 자 수 있어요?" 준수는 성가시게굴어. 나는 준수에게 큰 껴안아.
"네! 지금 너는 집에 안녕히 있어. 저는 자 수 있어요." 나는 성가시게굴어. 그리고 우리는 저금 웃어.
"그럼 잘 자요." 준수는 말해. 나는 서.
"네, 너도 잘 자."
"잠까만요...."

**********

In english now! ^_^

Junsu left alone. Where did he go? I don't know but I believe in Junsu and so I wait. It was already late when he left, and it is 1:00am now. Where are you? What might you be doing? Everyone already whent to sleep. I alone wait for you. I know you aren't a baby. I know you are okay, but I still wait. It's 2:00am now, and you are still not home. It's getting really late. Where could you be? I wish I knew. You haven't called. Maybe I should call you? No, you might be busy.

I sit on your bed. I can only wait. I look at my ring, the ring you gave to me. We both have matching rings.

"Now we are really friends." You have said to me. I was really happy. You were my first good friend. We're close, always together...I hope so...because I really like you. I always want to see you.

Maybe I love you. But I don't really know.
Maybe this is love.

It's 3:00am when your door opens and you are home.

"Ah Hyung, What are you doing awake?" Junsu asks.
"Waiting for you." I answer him.
"Is that so? Ah, why? Do you need something from me?" Junsu asks me.
"No. Just because I miss you." I answer and Junsu smiles shyly.
"Really? You are too sweet." Junsu says to me.
"Yes, you are my friend, and its too difficult to sleep without you near." I tell him. He smiles again and sits down next to me.
"Well, I'm here now. Can you sleep?" Junsu teases me. I give him a big hug.
"Yes! Now that you are safely home I can sleep." I tease him and we laugh.
"Well then, sleep well." Junsu tells me. I stand up.
"Sleep well too."
"Wait..."

******************
(yes I cliff hangered it...it takes a lot of time and energy to work through grammar...maybe I'll finish a second chapter that will be just as failtasitic when bordom strikes again)

First Korean Fanfiction 9/05/08

This relatable since it show some of my progress in Korean. Be mindful that yes this is completely stupid and made only for fun when I was bored.

I wrote this little piece of Korean CRACK fanfiction on September 5th 2008:

BOLD is Tabulo, Regular is Mithra

"안녕하세요." 타블로는 미쓰라을 말해.
"타블로아, 안녕하세요."
"미쓰라, 너를 내가 말해요."
"너가 뭐 싶어요?"
"너."
"뭐? 너...무르겠어요."
"미쓰라, 내가 너를 싶어요."
"어떻게? 내가 무르겠어요"
타블로는 미쓰라 진의 눈을 뷥아.
"미쓰라을, 사랑해요."
"하지만, 나는 남자이에요."
"네, 알아요."
"타블로...뭐...하지만...뭇해요."
"잠까만."
"아니오. 타블로아...뭇해요..."
"미쓰라! 잠까만."
"미안해...안녕히계세요."
"아니오! 가지마! 가지마!"

Now a side from the fact that its retarded there were quite a few errors I made. Once big one was using the wrong word for "Want" 원해 is what I should have used since 싶어 is for verbs, as in wanting to do something. Another bad mistake I made was not putting the vowels together correctly for 너+가 to = 니가. There are also little spacing errors through out. Should look like this:

"안녕하세요." 타블로는 미쓰라을 말해.
"타블로아, 안녕하세요."
"미쓰라, 너와 말하고 싶어."
"니가 뭐 원해요?"
"너."
"뭐? 너...무르겠어요."
"미쓰라, 내가 너를 원해."
"어떻게? 내가 무르겠어요"
타블로는 미쓰라 진의 눈이 뷥아.
"미쓰라, 사랑해요."
"하지만, 나는 남자예요."
"네, 알아요."
"타블로...뭐...하지만...뭇 해요."
"잠까만."
"아니오. 타블로아...뭇 해요..."
"미쓰라! 잠까만."
"미안해...안녕히계세요."
"아니오! 가지마! 가지마!"

In English now:

"Hello." Tablo says to Mithra Jin.
"Tablo, hello."
"Mithra, I want to talk with you."
"What do you want?'
"You."
"What? You..I don't understand"
"Mithra I want you."
"How? I don't understand."
Tablo looks into Mithra's eyes.
"Mithra, I love you."
"But I'm a guy."
"Yeah I know."
"Tablo...what...but I can't."
"Wait."
"No. Tablo I can't."
"Mithra! Wait!"
"I'm sorry. Be well."
"No! Don't go! Don't go!"

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Korean Pronunciation Practice 12/21/08



I had hoped to get help with my pronunciation, but sadly no one helped me. :(
Anyway, this is a practice video but I think I failed miserably as I sound VERY unnatural and robotic...I had somewhat decent pronunciation but without the feeling behind it its usless.

안녕하세요. 저는 한국어를 여전히 공부합니다. 그래서 제가 한국어를 틀릴땐 미안합니다.

당신들이 평안하기를 바래요. 당신들이 정말 일 잘하세요. 가끔 너무 많이 일하세요!
당신의 건정을 잊지 마세요!
제가 당신들을 걱정해요.

저나 많은 사람들은 당신들을 좋아해요.

당신들은 기계가 아니고 사람들이에요.
그렇기 때문에 언제든지 당신들이 휴가가 필요할땐 행복하게 다녀오세요.
그리고 당신들이 더 이상 가수가 아니라고 우리는 여전히 사랑하겠어요!

저는 지금 한국에 갈 시간이 없어요. 그렇지만 미국에서나마 당신들께 사랑을 보내 줍니다.

윤호 씨, 준수 씨, 창민 씨, 재중 씨 나 유천 씨 저는 당신들이 자랑스랍니다. 화이팅 그리고 건정하세요!

1st Pronunciation Practice 12/13/08



This is the first video I made (and still have) trying to practice some of my Korean. I wish I had my very first video (absolutely horrible) to share. So I could really compare with this to show all the improvement, but sadly I had deleted it not long after shooting it because of how horrible it was. XD

A little back ground:

Studying Korean on my own since 06/20/08.
Started using Pimsleur's Korean Audio CDs 06/30/08
Started using The KLEAR Beginning 1 and 2 Korean language series from The University Of Hawaii 8/15/08.

What was said:
안녕하세요! 저는 알리샤입니다. 제가 미국 사람이에요. 그리고 스무 한 살이에요. 제가 한국어를 여전히 공부합니다. 그리고 아직 잘 뭇 해요. 그래서 제가 한국어가 틀릴땐 미안합니다.
어, Cassiopeia Family, 어떻게 지내세요? 제가 지내요. 어 보고 싶어. 아, 하지만 이젠 조금 심심해 죽겠다. 제 다 친구들이 여기에 없어. 그리고 제 음악이 여기에 없어. 아~~죽겠다~~~ 어, 하지만 괜찮아요.
어~ 헤미~Chan~~안녕하세요? 어디에 있어요? 몰라요. 보고 싶어~ 너를 정말 재미있어요. 아마 나중에 보겠어요? 좋아해요.
어....더....뭐 더 말해요? 모르겠어요. 제 한국어가 안충분해요. 그래서 아무거다 (안)말해요.
아~ Cassiopeia Family~ 화이팅! 사랑해요! 안녕~~

Hello! I'm Alisha, I am American and 21 years old. I am still studing Korean and don't speak well yet so I'm sorry when my Korean is wrong.
Oh, Cassiopeia Family, how are you doing? I am doing well. I miss you. Ah, but right now I'm a little bored...almost dying. All my friends aren't here, and I don't have my music. Ahh I'm dying~~ Ah but its okay.
Ah Hemi-Chan~~ Hello? Where are you? I don't know. I miss you! You are really fun. Maybe later we can meet? I'd like that.
Ah...more...what more to say? I don't know. My Korean isn't good enough so I don't have anything more to say.
Ah Cassiopeia Family FIGHTING! I Love you! Bye~~

Random bits and pieces #1

Random bits and pieces #1

Here is a small collection of random tidbits of Korean I have picked up outside of normal learning methods. Most often I learn these from the Korean International students I work with. As awesome and wonderful as a class or a textbook is it cannot compair to speaking directly with someone fluent in thier native tongue and from the area.

NOTE: I have a foul mouth in any language I speak so if you are offended by such language I suggest you find another blog. Sorry to have wasted your time, but it might be advantagous to stick around and get a bit grittier veiw of Korean culture and language than you would normally find. :-)

생명 Vs. 인생

Now in both my dictionary and my KLEAR textbooks 생명 is listed as meaning life, and it does but in Korean there are two words for life each, with a different meaning and use.
생명 - To have breath, to be living
인생 - A person's life; lifetime.

In example I said to my friend:
씨발 내 생명냐! - Fuck my life!

He did not understand me so I had to explain what I had meant to say(laughs a pleanty I assure you) and he corrected me.

The correct way:
씨발 내 인생냐!

생명 is rarely used, almost exclusively in church as in 생명의 말씀 - Life saying. A sort of moral code to live one's life. (Is it bad I used a church word with profanity? Probably.)

성악 Vs. 가수

성악 was listed in both my dictionary and KLEAR textbook as either musician or singer and again they both are incorrect.

성악 - Opera singer
가수 - Singer

이고 Vs. 하고 Vs. 그리고

Okay all of these mean And or In addidtion but each has a different use.

이고 - To be used in joining two things you are.
EXP: 제가 미국 사람 이고 스무 살이에요. I am American and 21 years old.

하고 - To be used in joining two nouns.
EXP: 컵 하고 펜을 좋겠어요. A cup and pen would be good.

그리고 - Used to inform the listener that you have more to say on a subject.
EXP: 제가 물을 마실고 싶어요. 그리고 제가 밥을 먹고 싶어요. I want to drink water. And I want to eat a meal.

Differential style: 습니다 Vs. 입니다

Differential style:
습니다/입니다 and 습니까/입니까

Now I have always had problems with the differential style of speaking in Korean. The KLEAR series textbooks from the University of Hawaii don't really go indepth on thier use. I've had to ask my Korean friends at work to explain to me when I should use 습니다 and when I should use 입니다.
At first I assumed it was like everything else I had learned up to that point and 입니다 would be used if the end of the word had a final-consonant, and 습니다 if it ended in a vowel, or visa-versa. That is not the case though. I then wondered if one was for verbs and the other for nouns. I asked my Korean friend and at first he thought my second guess was right, but then he thought about it and started writing examples down in my notebook and it turns out that is not the case either. We were close though. Here are the examples he wrote, see if you can figure out the connection on your own.

알리샤입니다 - Alisha
먹었습니다 - Ate
웃입니다 - Clothes
달리고있습니다 - Running
바보입니다 - Fool
제꺼입니다 -
컵입니다 - Cup
펜입니다 - Fan

He then wrote:
Nouns입니다
Verbs습니다

So I wrote this as an example: 주습니다 and he said it was wrong and that it was 줍니다. Then we had to figure out why. He began writing again and here is where we figured it out:

줍니다 - Give
달릴 것입니다 - Will run
딜렸습니다 - Ran
주었습니다 - Gave
줄 것닙니다 - Will give
마셨습니다 -Drank
마실 것입니다 - Will drink

Figured it out?

Past습니다
Present입니다
Future입니다

Nifty isn't it? Now if only I could find a Korean friend who actually likes the grammar of his/her own language! Then we wouldn't have to try and figure it out the hard way. :) Although to be fair, when they ask me English questions we have to go through the same hassel! Just more encouragement for me to improve my English.