Happy Birthday Laura!

When Crap is Really Crab

The P's sound like B's. M's like B's. B' like V's.  What? So logic would say the M's sound like P's or V's but this is not a logical world.  And this is what life is like for a native English speaker learning Korean or teaching English in Korea; and reverse for a Korean.  Sound similarities of Hangul characters when compared to the Roman language get confusing to say the least not to mention the differences in symbols.  

But it gets more complicated- P's also sound like F's.  Once, Kirsty, my girlfriend and co-worker, asked a student to make a copy of a worksheet.  What she got was a proud student and a well-intended coffee at 7:30 PM.

Additionally, take the word crab. B's sound very much like P's (no, B's don't sound life F's, I know, I know) therefore many a menu can leave you smirking. "Yeah, I would like a bean shoots and crap sandwich please. Oh, and a Coke."

The similarities in sound do not end there. G's also sound like K's.  This is important to know to insure you are catching the right bus, especially if you are traveling to the historic town of Kyong-ju.  One sign says Kyong-ju in one city and Gyong-ju in the next. Forget about asking for bus tickets at the will call.  Sometimes you just have to hope for the best. 

Lastly, R's sound like L's and versa vice and so on and so on.  So yes, at times I am referred to as Mr. Jelly.