I’ve been studying Korean for about 2 years now, and most of that time has been purely from a textbook with little interaction with actual Korean people or current media. So whenever I do have that kind of experience come up, it can be either really exciting when I realize I’ve learned enough to grasp something that I didn’t a few months ago, or disheartening to be reminded there’s a whole vast amount of vocabulary and grammar and slang to learn that I haven’t even scratched the surface of. Even when that happens it doesn’t want to make me quit it just kind of puts me back in my place…
Anyway, one of my weakest points is listening, as it is for most people studying a language while not actually abroad. But I stumbled across a wonderful tool! So for anyone reading this who is studying Korean also, I hope you go and find it is helpful also. Naver is basically the Korean Google. Don’t be fooled by all the stuff on the page, it’s just the Korean aesthetic, supposedly. But it is a search engine, hosts videos, images, blogs, email news etc etc just like Google. I usually try to go there every once in a while to see if I can understand anything at all. But I stumbled upon this today: Junior Naver!
This is Naver for kids, and so it has a a lot of adorable graphics and simpler language/subject matter. It has all kinds of games and studying tools for Korean kids to learn their own language, English, has hints about how to write a letter or a book report, you can read the latest issues of popular comics, play games (both for learning or just for cute fun), practice your korean nursery rhymes with audio and lyrics, etc etc. It’s really great because it’s such a wide range of topics and mediums, and there’s a lot of content with audio to practice your listening. Every time I go I find a few new things to get excited about. For beginning learners it seems like a great tool to utilize.
Also, if anyone happens to be reading this who can help me, I have one problem. My computer can generally read and type in Korean fonts, and almost all websites show up just fine. But for some flash or java applications the text is a bunch of random symbols. Is there some language pack I should download? I can’t seem to find a solution anywhere. I’ve tried using a mac and a pc, safari, firefox, and internet explorer and it’s the same on all of them (not to mention a lot of parts only work on internet explorer anyway). If someone happens to stumble upon this post and know the answer, please let me know.
Hi Mary, have you also tried to update your java and flash applications?
I live in Korea using a computer and I can’t say that I’ve had any problem as you describe. Is it only when you use Junior Naver? Without more detail, I’m not sure anyone will know how to solve this problem.
I’m an artist, too, and focus mostly in 3D character modeling and design, but dabble here and there with other interests in art and always trying to find time to expand and explore.
I also do a little blogging and put some of my work up but I think no one is reading it. However, I don’t know why, I like to do it anyway.
Take care and nice to meet you. Daniel
Hey Daniel, I have this problem on several websites, and it’s always in random places. It seems like I”m just missing some fonts or something. All of my applications are updated, and they even show hangul about half of the time. Are you using your own computer from home or using a Korean one? If it’s your own, do you know where I can download a comprehensive set of fonts for free? I’m thinking that might be the issue.
I checked out your website, neat stuff. Do you do anything with it related to being in Korea, or is it just your free-time project?
Well, I know what I would do in your situation…but I can’t put it into words. I think the best way to say is that be sure to unstall the Korean language stuff when you update your computer. Usually, the language installs are optional and you must click the check boxes to select which ones you need. I suggest use Microsoft Update and see if you can select that option from available install options.
Actually, my art is mostly a reflection of what’s in my head and not so much about what’s going on around me – although it is obviously a influence to my inner workings. So, I don’t do much about Korea or its culture. But, I have developed characters based on my experiences in Korea. But they are not fully realized yet, and with the exception of various sketches and some writing, exist more so in my mind. As this happens, they tend to alter a bit as time goes on how they ought to be shaped for when I fully intend to release them to paper.
Sorry I took so long to reply, Mary. ~Dan