Roadmap to Korean [Paperback]

Richard Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 3, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1565911873 | ISBN-13: 978-1565911871 | Edition: 2

Roadmap to Korean is the most complete and thorough introduction to the Korean language of its kind. A sweeping journey through thousands of years of history, the book is an essential study guide for students of the language, from novices just beginning their studies to the most advanced learner. Roadmap to Korean is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the country and its people on a more intimate level. By revealing fascinating insights through easy-to-follow examples and stories, the book is also a unique look into the more than 70 million people who speak the language around the world today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...valuable for persons...on the road to learning the language but still have a long way to go." -- Joongang Ilbo

"the not-so-little book we've all been waiting for...has finally arrived." -- Seoul Magazine

"...just might be the Rosetta Stone to finally crack some of the more difficult nuances and conundrums..." --Korea Times

"Korean is a notoriously difficult language...Richard Harris...has created a lively written guide...for those attempting the trek." -- Korea Herald

From the Inside Flap

This language can be learned. Despite what people tell you, despite the rumors and the myths that surround this language, Korean can be learned by anyone willing and able to sacrifice the time and energy necessary to do so. I say that to you, the reader, not as someone who has given this language a cursory once-over, but as someone who has dedicated over five years of his life to learning the intricacies and nuances that lie behind the words, the grammar, the culture, and the history of this wonderfully fascinating language. I would never in a million years claim to be fluent, but I can say that after all the time and effort I¡¯ve put into Korean, I have a great deal to show for it.

To be honest, I love this language as much as I curse at it each and every day of my life. I want to strangle this language on the worst of days and marry it on the best. These are the words that pop into my head when I think of learning Korean: glorious, liberating, stupid, beautiful, ridiculous, dumb, educational, wonderful, amazing, incredible, futile, frustrating,. And that¡¯s without one single swear word!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Hollym International Corporation; 2 edition (November 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565911873
• ISBN-13: 978-1565911871
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,039 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Harris is the author of two published works of non-fiction, Roadmap to Korean (2003) and Faces of Korea (2004). He is also the author of a collection of short stories and a novel. A resident of South Korea for 10 years, he now lives in Toronto, Canada, where he is at work on his second novel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, April 6, 2004

By 

Ahjuma "grace1531" (Edison, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roadmap to Korean (Paperback)

Puts learning the Korean language within reach. Something unique about this book is that it is written from the perspective of a non-Korean who has struggled to learn Korean himself. This is an advantageous perspective because he understands the hurdles we English-speakers have in approaching the language's structures and deviations. The author really did an excellent and thorough job. He even included the Chinese characters for those of us who would one day like to read Korean like an intelligent adult and not just a 1st grader. I would recommend this for self-study and for instructors trying to teach Korean to those of us who just don't seem to get it with other publications.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, October 7, 2004

By 

Chris Garson (Jacksonville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roadmap to Korean (Paperback)

Roadmap to Korean is a great book explaining the languistic structure, culture, and history of Korea(n). Richard Harris has done a great job explaining the most important parts of the language that no other book has bothered to cover. Harris explains the troubles that English speaks will have with the language and specific differences are explained in an English speaker's point of view. I have read over this book many times since I have been studying Korean and each time I get something else out of it. It is a definite buy for anyone wishing to learn the language or just want to simply learn what it's about. It makes an excellent reference for verb conjugations, phrases, numbers, and much more. If you want to learn Korean, this is the book to start with. You will not be disappointed.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Road worth going down, April 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Roadmap to Korean (Paperback)

New to Korean language and culture and not really sure where I should start from, a friend recommended Harris' "Roadmap to Korean" last month and I haven't looked back since. As I prepare to work in Seoul this coming fall, I feel so much more ready and educated to work and live in Korea after reading through my "Roadmap". Moving from Confucianism to the Chinese Zodiac all the while infusing easy-to-understand explanations of the workings of Korean, this book is my bible as I prepare for my Korean experience. Thanks, Mr. Harris!!