Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.9.3/8.9.0.Beta5/980425bjb) with SMTP id RAA23831; Tue, 16 May 2000 17:16:15 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 17:16:15 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <2FCA08503607D411AD3B006008CB6E37011A2D@STSN-MAIL> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: john googins <jgoogins@pcc.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4471] RE: "English"-only names X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Status: O Content-Length: 2839 Lines: 70 Gerry and others, One of the first things our Korean, Korean language instructors did at our in-country (1977) Peace Corps/Korea training was give each new volunteer a "Korean" name. Mine was Gu Gee Jun. My recollection is that I was more amused than irritated at the prospect of assuming a new identity. Later, as I went about my work and life in Korea, when introducing myself in Korean language I would say "my Korean name is...". Those Koreans who cared to know me better, and many did, would ask my "real" name and to them I was Mr. John. My use of my Korean name often served as an ice-breaker when people didn't quite know what next to talk about with the "American". Several times after introducing myself to rural villagers I was asked, quite seriously, which part of Korea my "Gu" family ancestors came from! I still get a chuckle thinking about those times all these years later. As I reflect on my experience, the new "Korean" identity seems to have in some small way helped put me into more of a "Korean" frame of mind as I studied, worked and played in a culture and language so different from that of my birthplace. Just as my being given a Korean name in no way challenged or changed my self-identity it should be no wonder that the Korean language and culture defiantly withstood the edicts of a brutal colonizing force. Best Wishes John Googins (aka Gu Gee Jun) ----Original Message----- From: Gerry Lassche [mailto:baccachew98@yahoo.com] Sent: Monday, May 15, 2000 5:32 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-ESL:4452] "English"-only names Over 50 years ago, the Japanese occupied Korea. While doing so, they forced the Koreans to change their names to Japanese names, and forced them to speak and write only Japanese. Today, some places in Korea routinely provide their students with "English" (always British/American names) names in their English classes, to give a more "foreign" atmosphere in the class. I do not like this practice, because of the historical precedent set by the Japanese. Also, I think that Korean names are beautiful, and that the identity/name of the student should not hinder their appreciation of another culture (ie they don't have to change their name in order to learn about another culture). Two questions: (1) How do you feel about this issue? (2) Is the giving of "English" names a practice limited to Korea, or do schools in other countries do this also? ===== Gerry Lassche O: 0562 221 5085 F: 0562 221 5030 ************************************ Globalization Education Team POSCO Education & Training Center PO Box 36, 74-3 Gigok-dong, Nam-ku Pohang City, Kyungbok KOREA 790-390 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/
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