山村訓長但知覓

So Korean, along with other Asian languages, has specific words that are used to describe the actions or aspects of others, 진지, 연세, 존함 etc., etc. Frequently translated "honored something or other." This includes words like 약주 that actually have other dictionary definitions, but are used in practice as uplifted versions of ordinary nouns.

It goes without saying that one does not use these to describe one's own actions. Because that would belie poor breeding. Or maybe a poor attempt at comedy. A step down from using the royal first-person pronoun 짐 to refer to oneself.

But society is changing. And there are indications that some of the more esoteric examples of honored speech are beginning to fray. For example, many Koreans cannot correctly use the word 여쭙다/여쭈다 any more (in the old days, that was "엳다" ^^). Especially younger Koreans. They can remember that it means "to ask" and is an honored form. So they use it as "to ask/inform a superior" as well as "a superior asks." As evidence of this tattering of the hierarchical fabric, the Sanchon Hunjang submits a helpful tutorial aimed at native speakers on how to properly use these words.

You can also judge the lack of proper Confusion ^^ education that the young 'uns have been given by how they react in a situation with two social superiors and themselves. Say there's granddad and dad. Both demand respect and honored speech. But what about when you are talking to granddad about dad? Are you supposed to say, A: "아버지도 할아버지 존경한다고 하십니다," or should it be, B: "아버지도 할아버지 존경한다고 합니다"? Listen closely, especially in real life situations when the speaker is slightly out of her comfort zone because of the interaction with a social superior, and you'll hear A more often than not. Even from middle aged speakers who should know better.

Lastly, there's a funny construction of which the Sanchon Hunjang is just not sure what to make. As everyone knows, the ~시 infix makes ordinary verbs (and adjectival verbs) into wonderful gifts fit only to bestow upon honored others. And ~ㅂ시다 indicates a proposition for action that the speaker and company will all participate in together. So what does it mean when the speaker says something like, "자 회의를 마치십시다," with the "honored other" ~시 thing combined with the self-inclusive ~ㅂ시다 thing. It sounds like it shouldn't be possible. I can't vouch for whether it's proper textbook Korean or not, but it sure can be heard in abundance out in the wild.

Sure, language changes. Culture changes. Society changes. The Sanchon Hunjang isn't going to argue that we should all stick to the proscriptive approach. Just that it's interesting to watch the hints of change unfolding before your very ears.