No! They’re not! I can’t believe the ignorance of the great number of people who believe this crap.

Dongdaemun and Euljiro 3-Ga are Romanisations. They are the Korean language Romanised such that anyone from anywhere in the world with a knowledge of the Roman alphabet can at least, though perhaps not accurately, read Korean names.

Such Romanisation is not purely aimed at English-speaking foreigners. Native English speakers make up only part of the number of foreigners residing in or visiting Korea. Changing the signs to East Gate or Euljiro Third Avenue would leave non-English speaking visitors completely lost in Korea.

The country’s papers, reporters and, it seems, English-speaking residents are under a great misconception on this topic. Korean names shouldn’t be translated to English, but Romanised for the benefit of all those, wherever they come from and whatever their language, to be able to at least make sense of them. Perfect pronunciation of Korean names won’t ever be achieved by any Romanisation system unless the reader has a knowledge of the Korean language.

Korea’s obsession with the English language, while it keeps many of us employed, is in many ways harmful. Whether teaching children or adults, I have always taught Romanisation and made them aware of the difference between English and Romanised Korean.

The next time you’re at the bank or the immigration office and filling in a form, notice where it says “English Name” or “English Only” and spare a thought for the huge number of foreigners in Korea, like myself, who don’t have an English name.

Romanisation. Not Englishisation!

My friend once told me that 왤빙 was a uniquely Korean phrase. Of course, one gives up one’s missionary zeal after one meets the adamancy of the mind that defends the fan death. Now that’s coinage.

How on earth a foreigner could comprehend them?

Healer, heal thyself?

@ mateomiguel (#2): I agree with just about all you said; however, “grand open” is not bad English. It’s Korean written in the Roman alphabet.

There seems to be more and more of this these days, with loan words from English and other European languages being written in their original form rather than being changed into Hangul. We can find the word “리더십” in a Korean dictionary, but these days everyone seems to be mixing scripts, writing “leadership가 중요하다,” or some such…

It’s not bad English; it’s Korean katakana.

I was not only appalled by his impudently egotistic mind, but also despaired at his vast ignorance and incorrigible obstinacy.

Mr. Kim’s panties are demonstrably in a bunch.