I never learned much correct Korean for my first 9 years in Taekwondo. The ATA taught basic counting to ten, and some class commands, but virtually no techniques and most was mispronounced.
Then I began training with Koreans (around 1985) and learned a lot of terminology, and everyday phrases.
I start my students at white belt with only a few phrases and classroom commands. In the low ranks, I begin using more during class, and require them for testing knowledge (names of all stances, all blocks, all hand strikes, all kicks, and every part of training procedures, plus counting to one million - or higher). With my advanced students, especially black belts, I will often teach the entire class in all Korean terms with no English (American).
I find it enjoyable to learn, and it enhances the students experience for studying a "Korean Martial Art!" History, culture, clothing, social experiences, language, are all part of the education in my opinion. If left out, you students won't have it when they become instructors, and you might as well be teaching "American Kick/Punch class."
I find it helpful when I referee events, especially international events where not everyone speaks English, but they should know Korean commands. It made it fun and easier when I taught students in Korea, many of whom only spoke Korean, and when they came to visit America, I could help translate for them and communicate with them a little better (also easier to order food at a Korean restaurant!).
On this topic. Can anyone give me the correct Korean (ideally written in Hangul so I don't make a reverse romanisation pronunciation error) for:
* Change feet (i.e. switch left stance to right stance)
* In your own time (my instructor has always said haryopche, but I'm not sure of the Hangul or if it literally means "in your own time" as opposed to by the instructor counting each step of the poomsae).
Change feet:
발 바꾸 = "bal ba kku" (bal bakku) - To "change feet," or "switch feet."
In your own time: I am not sure about this one. Perhaps someone else can help here. In your instructor's words "haryopche" - - "che" might actually be "je" which means "your" like "your time." I don't know what the "haryop" part is. Perhaps you could ask your instructor to write it in Korean hangeul. Then share that with us and see if we can figure it out.
Here are some of my guesses as to a possible term for this: I might be wrong on the proper usage here.
너의 세다 = "neo wi se da" - your count (pronounced: naw wee say dah)
무 세다 = "mu se da" - no count (meaning no instructor's count - do it at your own count)
너의 걸음 = "neo wi keol eum" - your pace
시간 = "shi gan" - means "time"
CM D.J. Eisenhart
Oh well, it's interesting stuff and sounds flashy anyway...
