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From the archives

Posted By: Jake Jacobs
Date: Tuesday, 21 July 2009, at 2:41 a.m.

In Response To: From the archives (phil Simborg)

Hi Phil:

The other day my daughter grew exasperated because I couldn't pronounce "baeng." She'd say: "baeng," and I'd repeat "baeng," and she'd say "no, Papa, baeng!" (Note: not only can't I pronounce it, I don't remember what it means!)

Years ago in Korea I spent considerable time trying to correctly pronounce "ddok" (as in bindaeddok). I'd say "dog," and they'd tell me it was "duck." I'd try "duck," and they'd tell me that no, it was "dog." (Actually it is "ddok," just like it's spelled. :-))

There is a famous story of a student in Beijing who asked a female student if he could borrow her pen: "Wode bi huai, wo yao yong nide." That tiny syllable "bi" was supposed to be pronounced with a tone that fell then rose, but he pronounced it as a purely high-pitched tone, so instead of "my pen is leaking, I'd like to use yours" the word he used was slang for vagina.

All this is by way of saying that what I tell people may sound the same, but it takes a practiced ear to distinguish between "champion" and "chump peon."

Best,

Jake

Messages In This Thread

• From the archives
  Jake Jacobs -- Monday, 20 July 2009, at 3:21 a.m.
  • From the archives
    phil Simborg -- Monday, 20 July 2009, at 12:12 p.m.
    • From the archives
      playBunny -- Monday, 20 July 2009, at 7:55 p.m.
    • From the archives
      Jake Jacobs -- Tuesday, 21 July 2009, at 2:41 a.m.
      • so did he get lucky?
        garyo -- Tuesday, 21 July 2009, at 2:57 p.m.