Korean is very different to English, which makes it very difficult for Korean speakers to learn English (and the other way around).
In addition to learning English grammar and vocabulary, even those native Korean speakers who speak fluent English have two main problems being understood by native English speakers:
1. Pronouncing English sounds correctly that are not used in Korean, e.g.:
- “ng” (as in something);
- “f” (as in fax or phone);
- “v” (as in Victoria or five);
- voiceless “th” (as in thing);
- voiced “th” (as is this or that);
- “z” (as in Zinc or fees);
- “sh” (as in share, bashful or fish);
- “zh” (as in measure or vision);
- “ch” (as in chairman or match);
- “j” (as in traffic jam);
- “r” (as in rescind or carry);
- “w” (as in Wednesday or weather); and
- using consonant “clusters” at the start or ends of words (as in words like like send, smelt, clock, crack, drip, square, and glide).
2. Using English word and sentence stress patterns (Korean uses fairly uniform monotone stress patterns).
Speech pathologists are specially trained to teach people how to pronounce sounds and to use correct word and sentence stress patterns. If you need help with speaking English clearly, get in touch.
Source: American Speech-Language Hearing Association: Facts on Korean Phonology.
Hi there, I’m David Kinnane.
Principal Speech Pathologist, Banter Speech & Language
Our talented team of certified practising speech pathologists provide unhurried, personalised and evidence-based speech pathology care to children and adults in the Inner West of Sydney and beyond, both in our clinic and via telehealth.
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