Korean is a nifty language. It has really neato phonological features and processes. For example, it has tensed consonants.
Huh?
Okay, I want you to say the word "dough", like you make bread out of. Just say it aloud to yourself. (Yes, Michael, right there at your desk at work. Serves you right for reading my blog when you should be helping refugees...)
With me so far? Next I want you to do your best Homer Simpson. Say D'OH!!
Now imagine if Homer said "dough!!" instead of "D'oh!" Wouldn't be the same, would it? (Try saying both of them a few more times, just to convince yourself. I did this walking down the street the other day.)
Congratulations: You have just found a meaningful distinction between a tensed consonant and an, um, ordinary one. The 'd' in "dough" is a DIFFERENT LETTER in Korean than Homer's D in "D'oh!"
Isn't that cool?
(Hey, what were you expecting, fireworks and a brass band and Scarlet Johannsen in a thong? Back to work with ye, scallywags.)
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3 comments:
Thanks for the lesson. You'll have to teach us (me) a few helpful Korean phrases. Never know when it could come in handy!
Hey, it's my LUNCH BREAK!!!
And how did you know about my Scarlett Johansson/brass band fantasy?
Gotta love my friends and their idiosyncratic passions. :-)
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