kimchi corner

South Korea has a strong desire to be English-fluent. Beginning in public elementary schools and continuing right up through university, students study English. Most major Korean companies require English proficiency in order to land a job. Some universities are starting to require their professors to lecture in English. Large bookstores brim with books (both for instruction and pleasure) on all levels of English. Just yesterday, I read that many expectant mothers are playing English language tapes to their unborn children in hopes of improving the children's language skills. Nearly every road sign is written in Korean and English. Public transportation systems make stop announcements in both languages. Seoul is extremely English friendly.

However, I continued to be baffled by the lack of good English that appears on signs such as the one in the picture. I must confess that such postings always make me smile, but I wonder why no one responsible for planning such a major event as the Hi! Seoul Festival consulted a native English speaker for translation help. (Truth be told, I have several Korean high school students who could have done a better job.)

Such laxness in clear communication, while providing humor for people like me, will only serve to hinder Korea in reaching its goal of being a world-class tourist destination.