Language Barriers

Summary

The speaker recalls their early experiences learning Korean at a language school their parents enrolled them in. Despite initial enthusiasm, they grew to dislike the language as it felt like a chore, especially with homework assignments. The speaker questioned the need for learning Korean while living in America. After their father's death during their junior year of high school, they had to take on more responsibilities, especially translating for their mother. Although helping her felt burdensome, the speaker continued to support her as their only remaining family member.

Takeaways

• 🧑‍🎓 The speaker began learning Korean in elementary school when their parents enrolled them in a language school at their church.
• 🌍 Initially, the speaker enjoyed learning Korean and would often approach Korean-looking people to practice speaking with them.
• 📚 Their enthusiasm for the language decreased when their parents began assigning homework, such as reading and copying stories.
• 😓 The speaker found learning Korean to be a chore and struggled to understand its relevance while living in America.
• 🚗 During their junior year of high school, the speaker's father passed away in a car accident.
• 👩‍👧 After their father's death, the speaker's mother relied on them even more because of their bilingual ability in English and Korean.
• 🗣️ The speaker's mother frequently asked them to translate, which felt like a burden to the speaker.
• 🤝 Despite feeling burdened, the speaker agreed to help their mother with anything related to translation.
• 💔 The speaker's willingness to help their mother stems from the fact that she is their only remaining family member.
• 🇰🇷 The journey of learning Korean has been complex for the speaker, marked by both fascination and reluctance due to familial pressures and life circumstances.

Q & A

When did the speaker first start learning Korean?

The speaker first started learning Korean in elementary school when their parents enrolled them in a language school at their church.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to learning Korean?

The speaker was fascinated with the Korean language at first, to the point where they would approach people who looked Korean and ask if they were Korean, responding to them in Korean when they said yes.

What caused the speaker to begin disliking learning Korean?

The speaker began to dislike learning Korean when their parents assigned them homework, such as reading stories aloud and copying them word for word, which made it feel like a chore.

Why did the speaker question learning Korean while living in America?

The speaker didn’t understand why they had to learn Korean when they were living in America, which contributed to their frustration and dislike for the language at the time.

What significant event occurred during the speaker's junior year of high school?

During the speaker's junior year of high school, their father died in a car accident.

How did the speaker’s relationship with their mother change after their father’s death?

After their father’s death, the speaker’s mother depended on them even more, especially because the speaker was fluent in both English and Korean.

How does the speaker feel about translating for their mother?

The speaker finds translating for their mother to be a burden, but they agree to help her because she is the only family member they have.

Why does the speaker feel burdened by translating?

The speaker feels burdened because their mother frequently asks them to translate, and although they are willing to help, the responsibility feels heavy.

What is the significance of language in the speaker’s life after their father's death?

Language becomes more significant in the speaker’s life after their father’s death, as their mother relies on their ability to communicate in both English and Korean for various needs.

How does the speaker’s view of their responsibilities change over time?

The speaker’s view of their responsibilities changes from being frustrated with learning Korean as a child to feeling a sense of obligation to help their mother as they grow older, especially after their father's death.