This is a unique and exciting idea. Most stuff that teaches you a language you have to translate other people's ideas and thoughts. They may not be the same thoughts as yours and you might not usually express yourself that way. The authors might lead a very different life to yours and have different personalities, interests and opinions to yours.
So there may be a very bad fit. And this is true for me in a lot of cases: IL, KGU, Essentials.
Even after studying for six months, I still do not have the language to communicate MY wants, needs and opinions.
So how about working on translating your own stuff?
I think "chunks" go someways towards that, but sometimes I want to write a narrative or a dialog/conversation. I want to talk in my own voice.
And the chunks are limiting in a way. They have to be general.
Even the migrant's book which has many useful bits and pieces is far removed from my needs. I can't imagine having to say some of the things in that book.
If things don't have personal relevance for me, I am likely to forget it.
Soooo ... I have to make it personally relevant for me. What about translating what I write in the blog?
Or write a diary? That's what that Korean guy who lived in America suggested I do. I scoffed at his idea because I really didn't want to write a diary for learning purposes, especially if someone else was going to read it, and if I DID, then it would be a very bland one, and so would be very boring to write. Also, I did not feel my Korean was good enough.
But wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to express myself, like I have here, in Korean?
It would be liberating. But it will be difficult. Because some expressions don't travel well.
For example, "It would be liberating." How could I say that in Korean?
Maybe something like "I am would feel freer." or "I would have much freedom."
I think a lot would be gained by translating my own words. I should write unaffectedly at first though in English because if I am conscious that I am going to have to translate something, the writing becomes very stilted. The words don't flow.
I suppose really I should read a lot. And then I would get an idea of how Koreans express themselves. The thing is that Koreans express themselves very differently to English-speakers.
Real 180 degree way. Although there are the same grammar elements for the most part.
It will be hard to do. But there will be real benefits. Because you are likely to use the same language in the future.
Why not create short scenarios or dialogs? Write them up in English. Translate by looking up the dictionary and getting someone to correct them? Like that thing you wrote and that bbensi corrected.
Yes, that's very valuable. And you can write more specific stuff too.
I wish I knew Korean slang.
