[KS] (romanization systems)

[Kaliher, Kenneth L.]

   Thirty years ago the Korean government was also going through one of its
periodic Romanization Reappraisals.  After a lot of agonizing (and in spite
of heavy support for M-R on the pages of The Korea Times), the authorities
finally deciding to resurrect the benighted -- but oh-so-easy for Koreans --
1959 Ministry of Education system, that bottomless well of cheap shots about
Dog Ribs, Jeonra Bugs and Seolag Mountain.  I recall walking into the Peace
Corps lounge one day back then to see an announcement on the blackboard that
"The new [sic] Romanization system has been approved by President Bag."
   Which brings me to my point:  Whatever else we may think about "World
Cup" Romanization, it has at least bagged "Bag" and other unsightly voiced
final consonants; it spells the common Korean surname Bak.  So much for that
joke.  Unfortunately, it appears Gimpo will be with us for some time.  

Ken Kaliher
Seoul

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"Why shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction?  Fiction after all, has to
make sense." 
  -- Mark Twain

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	David.C.Kang at Dartmouth.EDU [mailto:David.C.Kang at Dartmouth.EDU] 
Sent:	Monday, March 04, 2002 5:28 AM
To:	Koreanstudies at koreaweb.ws
Subject:	Re: [KS] (romanization systems)

--- You wrote:
I wonder if anyone is 
for the new system. It would be enlightening to hear from those who are for 
the new system, 
--- end of quote ---

You know, I prefer the M-R system, but I'm considering switching. The last
two pieces I published I used the M-R system, and those diacriticals made
the whole publishing process extremely difficult. The first set of proofs
got them wrong, and then the second set was also screwy, although I think I
caught all the mistakes. Just for ease of publishing the lack of
diacriticals in the new system is a big plus, so I may succumb to "Bag,
Busan, and Gimpo."

Dave
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