I use Korean despite not being able to speak it!
A Fan Fiction Writer's GuideI used to do it and feel so cool.
It's not.
Sometimes you'll use a term in Korean you know, but not everyone else knows and, no offense, readers find it annoying when you do. I can say that from experience. If it's a story in English, please leave it in English.
Unless, of course, there is something in Korean that cannot be translated directly into English and if it was, it would require explaining.
If you need to, put an asterix next to it and at the bottom, add a translation key.
For multiple terms that need explaining, just add an asterix.
Example:
[insert Korean word that can't be translated directly]*
[inster second Korean word that can't be translated directly]**
And so on and so forth.
Please don't use Korean to replace simple English phrases. Plus, some Korean romanized words are longer than the English word so it just makes more typing for you.
Ones that aren't necessary:
Hello-Annyeong
Sorry-Mian or mianhae or mianhaeyo
Thank you-Gamsahabnida (it's with a b sound, not an m btw)
Thanks-Gomawo
Are you okay?-Kwaenchana? or Gwaenchana?
Hey-yah
Yes-ne
One, using "ne" for yes limits you to one expression.
However, if you use English, you can use "yeah," "yiss," "yeh," "yah," yaas," "yush," and so on and so forth.
Also for "yah" for "hey" limits you too. Using English, it could be "yo," "haaaaaaaaaaaay is for horses,"
and I couldn't think up any others.
Point is, don't use Korean in an English story unless absolutely necessary.
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