Handbook of the Korean Language - Tapa blanda

All things Korea are on fire these days, aren’t they? As the world gets ever-smaller, people everywhere are discovering the wonders of her culture and arts (‘The Korean Wave’ ring any bells?), cuisine, fashion, cosmetics, and much more. Meanwhile, Korea’s rapidly advancing financial power and political influence are opening many windows of opportunity for the Korean people and those who interact with them. On top of all that, her people (who seem to be everywhere nowadays) are charming the world with their winning ways.

Korea is on every travellers’ short-list, and for good reason - it is awesome. Tell me you don’t want to visit!

The secret is out...The Hermit Kingdom is on everyone’s radar. So it should come as no surprise that Korean is one of the hottest languages on Earth these days. You are reading this, aren’t you?

Language education, bound by tradition, usually proceeds very gradually. Students are presumed unable to handle the big picture. Like a horse with blinders on, the learner cannot see beyond the next step, and perspective remains elusive. See the problem here?

Remember playing Marco Polo as a kid? Chasing people around blindfolded makes for a good game, sure, but why do you think it was named after the great explorer? Marco Polo had no map or guidebook; he was flying blind. It must have been rough with nothing to follow - Asia is enormous!

Signore Polo’s reports and maps quickly became popular. Since getting lost, robbed, abducted, or suffering and dying in the wilderness were common fates for the unprepared, who wouldn’t want to use them?

We believe that you are smart enough to use a map. By treating readers as curious and intelligent, we buck tradition by empowering learners with the whole story. Our high-level overview provides a clear and logical framework to guide your learning journey. Understand things as you progress.

Equally important, when the feedbag of trite phrases and canned conversations of whatever books or classes you are using runs out, you will be ready and able to venture beyond and use the language more freely. Isn’t that your goal?

Study Korean however you want, but with your eyes open. Be liberated to explore and comprehend far more than just that next step.

The Handbook of the Korean Language, in just a few short pages, provides a complete, concise overview of the language, its grammar, and its structure in a very user-friendly form. There is no other source like it.

It also clearly and logically outlines the contemporary and useful grammar points you will need to know. Rounding out the book are plenty of details and examples, and much more, further aiding your personal learning journey.

McDonough Books doesn’t want you to get lost in the Gobi Desert, after all.

Other features of the Handbook include:

+ over 50 convenient tables and lists of frequently needed language data
+ glossary explaining grammar terms in simple language
+ many example sentences
+ an index
+ exclusion of rarely used or archaic material
+ notes about frequency and general usefulness of various grammar points
+ recommended book list
+ much more

Here are a few testimonials from Amazon and Goodreads:

Anthony: “I have especially enjoyed big picture explanations”
Maya: “Exactly what I've been looking for...I shall be keeping this one handy.”
Kindle Customer: “Amazing Introduction” and “great explanation of the grammar”
Amazon Customer: “Awesome book...would recommend”

Mr. McDonough has lived in South Korea for several years, and spent countless hours studying the Korean Language, interacting with local people and simply being immersed in the cultural surroundings. His background and education was in computer science and he has worked as a chef, software engineer, teacher, and more. Also, he is a great outdoor enthusiast, with experience in alpinism, technical rock climbing, backpacking, fishing, surfing, and so on.