Travel is Rewarding! Whether it is done for business or pleasure, travel expands our world literally and figuratively. To make the most of every travel opportunity, it’s essential to know something about the language of your destination country. Language, along with an understanding of a country’s culture, holds the key to successfully communicating abroad whatever the situation. Managing a global business adds a special urgency to acquire language familiarity – spoken or written – quickly and conveniently. The experts at Global LT can provide language training, translation, and interpretation whenever and wherever you need it... that’s our specialty.

We hope you enjoy receiving Global LT’s Language & Landmarks in your mailbox. We hope they demonstrate our expertise so that, when the need arises for language training, cultural training, translation or interpretation services at your company, you’ll think of Global LT as your solution provider. Please feel free to forward these tips to others within your organization who can benefit from them.

Just like Cultural Insights, Language & Landmarks are posted on our website. Visit www.Global-LT.com and read past insights as well as all the services we offer to help your business achieve more globally.

Global LT’s Language & Landmarks for this month focuses on the Namdaemun Gate.

Annyong ha shimnikka, and welcome to the Namdaemun Gate located in Seoul. This structure, made of wood and stone, was completed in 1398 and was used to greet foreign emissaries. It was built in a wall protecting Seoul from invaders and Korean tigers, the latter of which are no longer a threat. This gate is also known as Sungnyemun meaning “Gate of Exalted Ceremonies.” An inscription indicating this title is written in hanja a Chinese script used in Korea until the 15th century. Up to that time, only scholars could read or write, as Chinese characters were very difficult to learn and use. The Josean ruler, King Sejong, (1397-1450) wanted more of his people to become literate. Consequently he is credited with developing a much more simplified, useable script called Hangul, which became Koreas’ own. At first only women and common people used this new language. Today, however, it is the official language of Korea even though in South Korea some two thousand Chinese characters are also used in newspapers and academic writing. The Koreans are so proud of this unique and practical language that they actually celebrate it every year. October 9 is Hangul Day in South Korea. The Hangul alphabet has 10 vowels and 14 consonants and has no letters or sounds for F, Q, V, W, X, and Z. There are as many as 7 speech levels in Korean which are used to indicate the level of formality of a situation and to show respect to a speaker or a writer’s audience. Wouldn’t it make sense to learn some basic Hangul words, titles and phrases of respect to address your Korean associates? Sadly, Namdaemun gate was nearly destroyed by fire on 2/1//08. The Cultural Heritage Administration says that it will take at least 3 years to fully restore the landmark. Global LT’s Cultural Training Programs - Travel is Rewarding Namdaemun Gate (Before the February 2008 fire) Global LT - Language Training, Cultural Training, Translation Solutions