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Author Topic: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.  (Read 2041 times)

Offline bjinglee

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Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« on: November 30, 2011, 08:45:21 pm »
When my co-teachers call out student names, they often add "A" at the end.  So, if a student's name is Lim Bo-min, she'll say, "Bo-min A". They say it's a term that makes students feel more comfortable. When should or shouldn't I use the "A" at the end of names with students? I've gotten some mixed signals from various teachers as to when its appropriate.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2011, 09:15:17 pm by bjinglee »
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Offline yeti08

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2011, 09:02:09 pm »
You're there to teach English.  Talk to them as you would in an English speaking country.  If Bo-Lim is Bo-Lim say Bo-Lim. 
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Offline JahRhythm

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2011, 09:08:17 pm »
It's a mark of affection, friendliness.
If the name ends in a vowel, you add "ya."
It's a bit chummy and familiar so whether or not it's appropriate depends entirely on the situation and your relationship with the kid.
As a general rule, I wouldn't use it.
Would seem a little strange in a classroom setting and as the above poster noted, it's best to use the name in standard English convention.
« Last Edit: November 30, 2011, 09:13:27 pm by JahRhythm »
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Offline taingray

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2011, 09:27:42 pm »
My co-teacher told me that you only add 아 or 야 at the end of someone's name specifically when you want to get someone's attention.  It's like saying, "Hey, Bo-Lim" or whatever.  She says it all the time to the kids when they're talking or just looking like they're not paying attention to her.
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Offline justanotherwaygook

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2011, 09:57:22 pm »
It's to call their attention.  Like another poster said, it's like saying "Hey, Bo-lim!"

You should just use their name (as you would in English).  They'll still understand you.
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Offline yeti08

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2011, 10:31:51 pm »
Also if you say Hey, Bo-Lim-Ah.  Then essentially you're saying Hey, Bo-Lim Hey. 
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Offline marchingocelot

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #6 on: December 01, 2011, 07:04:44 am »
Am I completely misreading the first post, or wouldn't this theoretical kid's name be Bomin Lim if you westernized it? Who the hell is Bolim?
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Offline SBracken

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #7 on: December 01, 2011, 07:37:27 am »
Quote from: marchingocelot on December 01, 2011, 07:04:44 am
Am I completely misreading the first post, or wouldn't this theoretical kid's name be Bomin Lim if you westernized it? Who the hell is Bolim?
I was wondering the same thing myself. I vote for crazy in the water.
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Offline kadams3

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2011, 07:46:46 am »
Sometimes they'll add 이 to the ends as well, like 지식 becoming 지식이. That one seems to have less of a purpose, and more just a sign of affection.
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Offline H man

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2011, 08:06:52 am »
No it's just "ban mal" for "shi" (Mr. or Mrs.)...they call you by your name + shi (ie. Harry shi or Wendy shi) and this is how you address someone of a lower age/status than you...
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Offline #basedcowboyshirt

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #10 on: December 01, 2011, 08:06:53 am »
I wouldn't do it, just because my only experience with adding the 아 sound to the end of a name is with a woman I'm currently having relations with who asked me to do it.

So to do the same thing for a student would feel pretty weird.
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Offline nthsarang

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #11 on: December 05, 2011, 07:26:26 pm »
In the school where I was adding 아(-a) or 야(-ya) (when the name ends in a vowel) to the end of a child's name when calling them was very common. It naturally means that you are feeling friendly towards them (you are using the first name after all and not their full name with 씨 or something very formal like that).

With students who knew me I'd use it regularly. When I used it with students who were visiting from other schools they were taken aback the first time (because I'm a foreigner) but also really liked it. It's an amazingly great way to build rapport quickly.

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Offline sloshy

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2011, 10:17:03 pm »
When someone's name ends in a consonant, 'A' is added to the end of the name. By calling their names in this way, it can be easier pronounced than without adding 'A'. 
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Offline Obamateacher

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2011, 02:39:04 am »
I've often wondered this myself. I always assumed that adding an A or Ya to the end of name was just to get someone's attention. I never knew it could also be used as term of endearment.
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Offline Spongeblob

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2011, 06:11:49 pm »
It's just good polite proper Canadian English eh.?  :)
i.e.
Sit down Jinho eh.?
Stop hitting Jinho, Nami eh.?
Put down that Soju and study Joon eh.?
Merry Christmas to my fellow hosers eh.?  :)
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Offline chrisinkorea2011

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #15 on: December 26, 2011, 02:43:49 pm »
Basically its when you are going to say something to that person 영은아 - Hey Yung Eun.

Affection in a friendly way is possible. you can say it to your friends to get their attention and students if they are comfortable with it. I use it because im a gyopo and most of teachers expect me to use it which i dont really have a problem with.

Using 이 and 가 are different particles for when you are talking about a person.  you actually use 이 when a name ends in a consonant. you use 가 for names that end in vowel sounds.

Using 야 is a more direct way of getting someones attention but be careful because it can be taken as a sign of forcefulness if used in stronger tone.
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Offline kboyjames

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #16 on: December 29, 2011, 12:31:47 pm »
Chris is completely right. I'm also Gyopo here. The "Ya" "A" ending in usually ONLY used if you are friendly enough with the person who is either same age or YOUNGER than you. Do not ever add this to someone older than you or someone new for it is a great disrespect.  Me personally i wont' use it on anyone except the students i teach until that person comes to me says "lets let go of our words" literally translated ^_^
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Offline larcobaleno

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #17 on: January 01, 2012, 06:34:56 pm »
It's definitely a endearment that's meant to baby the person addressed. To me it's almost like using baby noises reserved for little kids and pets.
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Offline iladelph53

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #18 on: January 03, 2012, 10:34:23 pm »
How come this poor kid's name changed from Bo-min to Bo-lim in this thread?  :laugh:
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Offline chelino

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Re: Adding "A" at the end of Korean names.
« Reply #19 on: February 07, 2012, 02:39:11 pm »
I always thought that -a/ya was like the diminutive -ito/cito in Spanish.  So calling Bo-min "Bo-mina" is like saying "little Bo-min"/"Bo-minicita" (sorry for bringing in another language to further confuse everyone).  Anyhow, I do it all the time and don't really twice about it. 

On a side note, we actually had a Bo-min here where I work and all of the teachers in my office called her Bo-mini.  I think -i works the same as -a/ya.
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