Literacy in Korea
Re: [Opinion] Semi-illiterate
South Koreans are rightly proud of their high literacy rate (98-99%) and their remarkable alphabet, Hangeul, which is truly one of mankind's greatest intellectual acheivements. This heathy pride, however, sometimes degenerates into an ugly arrogance among Koreans with an inferiority complex. I've had people tell me that my country, the United States, has literacy rate of 50% (that figure must be out there on the Korean Internet somewhere), while gloating that their country's is 100%.
The article above is a helpful reminder that "the deciphering of letters" is important, but "being able to read is not necessarily equal to being able to understand the writing."
Re: [Opinion] Semi-illiterate
South Koreans are rightly proud of their high literacy rate (98-99%) and their remarkable alphabet, Hangeul, which is truly one of mankind's greatest intellectual acheivements. This heathy pride, however, sometimes degenerates into an ugly arrogance among Koreans with an inferiority complex. I've had people tell me that my country, the United States, has literacy rate of 50% (that figure must be out there on the Korean Internet somewhere), while gloating that their country's is 100%.
The article above is a helpful reminder that "the deciphering of letters" is important, but "being able to read is not necessarily equal to being able to understand the writing."
Redeemed by Our Savior, I work out my salvation with fear and trembling in Pohang, South Korea, where I live with my wife, daughter, and son and teach English at a science and technology university. Baptized a Methodist and raised a Missouri Synod Lutheran in Buffalo, NY, I spent six years as a guest of the Anglican Communion before being received by the Grace of God into the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church on the Feast of Saint Andrew, my patron, anno domini 2002.
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