There's an interesting debate going on in Korea right now -- some parts of society want to change the English spelling of the country to its pre-1908 form: "Corea."
My grandfather (who served here during the Korean War) thinks this is silly. I'm of a mind to agree with him, though a bit more apathetic than he is. Well ... maybe not apathetic -- just more balanced in my thoughts on the issue.
Their argument is that since it was Japan that changed the English spelling in the early 20th century (when they took over and colonized the joint), "Corea" would be a "purer" spelling than its current "Korea" spelling. By changing the name, Koreans would be removing a vestige of their colonial past.
However, I'm curious to know why Koreans even care. I mean, to them it's spelled 한국 anyway (or 韓國, if you want to use the Chinese 漢字). In Japan it's "韓国". And since no one ever uses a "C" when transliterating Korean words, it makes little sense to start by insisting on it with a word they -- effectively -- never use.
Plus, it would cost a lot of money.
Just the same, though, I wouldn't lose any sleep if they did change it. The French have been spelling it "Corée" for decades, so in a way it would be simpler. And doesn't a country have a right to be called what it wants? After all, Upper Volta changed its name to Burkina Faso, and Burma to Myanmar. Besides, I prefer to Hangeul-ize my name as 브라이안 rather than 브라이언 because, in spite of how it sounds to a Korean, it translates back properly. Insisting on being called what you want it is one's own prerogrative
So regardless of how it works out, I'll be fine with it ... though I'd rather save myself the trouble of having to explain it.
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as the myth says, "corea" became "korea" when korea was under the control of japan becuase this way korea would appear later than japan in alphabetical order.
i know it sounds very stupid. some stupid fucked up korean/japanese mindset. but let me give you some story here.
when i was in the middle school, my school was visited by a group of japanese students. my school made a walcome banner that says "blah blah blah KOREA/JAPAN blah blah blah". but the banner the group of japanese students brought says "blah blah blah JAPAN/KOREA blah blah". u see the difference?
it's very delicate and yet almost impossible to explain kinda thing if u know what i mean. oh, btw... plz don't get me wrong. i have no harsh feelings toward japan and i think japanses are wonderful people. but after all those biased history education (japan also does that in their history classes. i know this after talking with many japanese friends, i was astonished that they didn't know what seemed to be the obvious they didn't know or learned, but hey this happens everywhere. it's all about the perspective) and the stories my grandma tome me.
well...maybe i might be as well as biased as other koreans.
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