Hi all,

I just had my first Kumdo lesson yesterday and I am hoping some people in Korea might be able to help me out. I just moved here and I speak almost no Korean but of course my Instructor speaks no English. It is apparent that this will be a big issue. I was kind of hoping I could get by but the langauge barrier is harder than the positions (so far). Could anyone help with the phonetic translations of some of the beginner moves/stances?

Thanks so much.
Sommer

Don't freak out just yet. I had the same problem in the begining (though my Sabunim did speak some English). Learn a little Korean and teach him a little English. Pay attention to him and other students, watch carefully and you should be OK. Your senior students are obliged to help you. I think you'll find that overcoming these kinds of obstacles is worth the extra effort. The rewards of learning Kumdo are endless. There is a pretty good glossary of translated terms here on this site. Good luck.
Joe Hibbs

I wish i could help out but i'm in the same boat. I'll be starting out my first Kumdo lesson at the end of the month. I live in a small town and there isn't a lot of english speakers hear in general so finding a place with an english speaking instructor was out of the question. anyway goodluck with the Kumdo and know you're not the only one struggling.

[James Trotta]

I don't think it will be too big of a problem. I started kumdo right after arriving in Korea and had no Korean while the Sabunim had no English. Sure there are times you wish you knew what he was talking about but normally they can demonstrate anything you need to know.

Some patience will be required from both of you though.

[Daniel Sullivan]

While common language can be a great boon, if one is very mindful of the teacher, kumdo can be taught inspite of a language barrier. Darrel Max Craig's book, The Heart of Kendo, describes his first kendo class with a similar language barrier. Good reading.

Daniel

[b8amack]

Look at it as an incentive to study Korean.

But since you asked. Here are some pretty loose basics for ya.

"Chigi" = Strikes

"Kun" (short u) = Big

"Mori" = Head

"Sonmok" = Wrist (Forearm)

"Hori" = Waist

So "Kun Mori Chigi" is a big (full motion) head strike, and so forth. "Big" strikes are all you will be learning for a while.

For footwork

Apuro = Forward

Tweero = Backwords

Ooro = To the right

Charo = To the left

(When they talk about your hands, though, they will use the phrase "when soan" "left hand" and orun soan "right hand")

"Joongdan" is the middle guard/stance that you will spend the majority of your kumdo career in. I'm sure your instructor will explain it.

Sabumnim is instructor, but some schools might call them kwanjangnim or even wonjangnim, depending on the nature of their business.

"Come-sa-hamnida" (usually ellided to comesamnida) is thank you, and "algeyssumnida" means "I will keep that (your teaching) in mind" and is the appropriate response when someone corrects you.


And that's more than I knew when I started out!

*shoot... I just realized this was a revived thread!