Word (Dis)Order

Today I had an appointment with my internist. I walked there through Central Park, past the reservoir, and past lots and lots of ducks.

When I arrived at my doctor’s office, I was blown away by a sign in the waiting room indicating a remarkably robust array of language interpreting services. I’d never seen anything like it before.

I confess, I am not yet feeling connected to Korean. Among other things, the word order hurts my brain a little.

Although I am not really understanding the basis for the grammar of the Pimsleur sentences I have been learning, I can at least pick up some trends, which is that by English standards, Korean word order is often backwards. So, for example, instead of “I speak a little Korean,” the word order is “Korean little I speak.” My brain is specifically hardwired not to do that.

Switching things around is probably good for me, though.

I recently got an e-mail from the young Korean woman I met on the floor of Barnes & Noble at 66th Street—the one I helped with her English essay. I hope she won’t mind my printing her e-mail if I don’t put her name.

Hello~
 
My name is [deleted].
 
Do you remember me? :D
 
We met in Library.
 
Nice to meet you ~
 
 
Today I have a presentation to assay !!
 
Good!
 
because your cheak~! ^^
 
 
 
Oh, see you~

I don’t know what she was trying to say towards the end there, but I was utterly charmed by the message.