En: radio #Filipino: radyo ᜇᜇᜒᜌᜓ (ra-di-yo) #Korean: 라디오 (ra-di-o)
What it immediately tells me is that the word was transliterated only. Not surprising because it's a "new" word and "modern" invention.
Interestingly though, both Korean and Filipino pronunciations are very similar especially with "ra". Direct transliteration would be "rey-di-yo" but in both languages it's "ra".
The #Hangul (#Korean writing script) lessons provided by #Duolingo is confusing if you're coming from English, or any Romance languages.
Different pronunciations.
Reliance on transliterations.
The focus on "lesson" achievements will throw a new student into semi-advance instead of starting with root letters.
Lack of explanations why (a) the pronunciations are different for the same letters or combination of letters (block); and (b) why the transliterations are similar in some cases.
Examples:
go 거 official transliteration is "geo"; pronunciation "go"
go 고 transliteration "go"; pronunciation "gu"
It's much better to hide the transliteration (not a feature though) and focus on pronunciation, otherwise, it'll be confusing.
Maybe in the advance levels it is clearer. But by the time the student reaches that, they probably learned the wrong pronunciations and rules; or gave up already.
The good thing I found, they teach the proper stroke.
Because they rely on transliteration to teach students how to read #Hangul (Korean writing script), it gets confusing as you learn more root letters.
For example:
ㅓ - eo
ㅗ - o
ㅜ - u
ㅡ - eu
In Duolingo, the transliteration "do" can be 두 or 도. To know the difference, you have to carefully listen to the pronunciation. The problem is, they use two female and one male voices each with different pronunciations.
However, in one such lesson you are asked to pick the correct Hangul for "do", with no pronunciation offered of what particular "do" it is. Again, emphasis on transliteration.
How can a student know the correct answer when 두 and 도 are in the options, and both were used before in earlier lessons?
Back to pronunciation, depending on the speaker (and rules that Duolingo didn't explain), ㅓ(eo) and ㅗ (o) can also sound as ㅜ (u) and ㅡ (eu).
Conclusion:
If you want to learn to recognise Hangul, then Duolingo is good. There also teach you the proper strokes.
But if you want to learn pronunciations and words and rules, get a lesson from native Koreans language teachers.
You see, Duolingo claims "scientists" were involved in creating their lessons but I don't see any sign scientists were involved. No logic in their lessons.
And I agree with the native Korean language teachers, if you rely on transliterations instead of learning it the natural way, you're setting yourself into disappointment and hardship.
You have to know the pronunciation. When you see Hangul characters, your mind should process it that way, not transliterating it first.
The official transliteration of Korean is geared towards linguists instead of pure pronunciation. A linguist understands why 가가 is pronounced "kaga" but is transliterated as "gaga". Or why 도 is pronounced "pu" but is transliterated as "do".
In other words, if you're a regular student and you rely on transliterations, you'll be confused and will think it is hard.
When you see 마마 your brain should naturally process it as such 마마. Your brain should never transliterate it first before you can understand it. 마마 means "your highness" and is transliterated and pronounced as "mama"; it doesn't mean "mother".
Learn to read Hangul, after that move to learning from native Korean language teachers, not Duolingo.
Are you a foreigner who's considering migrating here in the #Philippines? Here are some things to consider you probably will not read from anywhere.
I. Traditions and hierarchy
If you are from a culture where hierarchy and respect is highly valued, you should consider migrating as far away from Manila as possible.
You see, the closer you get to Manila (or National Capital Region), the more Westernised it is. Filipino traditions of hierarchy and respect is fast eroding.
For example, if you are from Spain or China, any form of marriage dowry/service is long gone. However, it is very much alive elsewhere.
The Filipino traditional marriage dowry is the guy going into service for the woman's family until he gets their blessing. Filipino-Chinese can choose between that or the Chinese tradition of exchanging precious gifts.
Another thing, Manila no longer cares about family clans. But elsewhere in the country, it still matters.
II. On respect.
If you are Korean or Japanese, you'll be happy to discover that the Filipino language, and all Philippines languages, are rich in words of respect, like how it is in #Hangugeo and #Nihongo.
However, in Manila (or National Capital Region), many of these were forgotten because of the prevalence of English.
Example, if in Korean there are different levels of respect based on age and/or hierarchy, we do have different levels as well. The farther you go from Manila, the more this respect through words are still observed. In Manila, levels of respect is practically non-existent, and if you speak that way, people tend to get surprised because it sounds "old fashioned".
Another example. In Korean culture, the youngest, or the newest member of the company/team, gets ordered around; it's a thing here as well. Also, they're expected to pay for everything, HAHAHAHA. The only difference, we don't have a seating arrangement, so they usually choose the corner to avoid getting ordered around. (Wise, right?)
III. Age.
We don't ask each other's age here. However, it is NOT rude to ask someone's age, even women.
If you're Western, don't be surprised if someone asks your age, especially if you're a woman. We do understand in Western cultures it is rude to ask a woman her age, or anyone for that matter. But you're here in the Philippines.
If you're Korean or Japanese, feel free and be a ease to ask someone's age. Again, it is NOT rude here. We do understand, especially for Koreans, that asking one's age is important to determine respect rules and hierarchy. That's perfectly fine with us.
The way we view "age", which affects the use of respectful words and determining hierarchy, is more about how you look. If you're 20 and you look 80, well, people will use respectful words and treat you an elderly. Seriously.
If you're 50 and you look like underage (under 18), same thing, you'll be treated as an underage, you'll even be asked for an ID to prove your age. 😉 I experienced that a lot, especially if I cut my hair short.
While it is not rude to ask someone's age, it is also in our culture to not bother with it and just guess it.
Is it rude to guess? NO.
But of course, it doesn't mean the person will not be offended if you thought they're 80 when they're actually 20. I mean, who wouldn't?
The thing is, if you guessed our age wrong, we just laugh at it. But still be careful, mental health and all.
In #Filipino, it is the short form of the curse word "pang ina mo" or "pa ang ina mo" (which in English translates to "your mom is a c**t").
Of course, in Korean, you don't normally use words by itself. So there shouldn't be cases wherein there might be confusion. But if you got into a certain situation this happened, just explain what you meant. 😅 Otherwise, you'll hear a reply like, "namu rin" (something like, "your mom is a c**t too"). 😅😅
The real challenge is using these languages and writing systems. For example, I need a serious refresher for Nihongo, Hiragana, and Katakana. I self learned it when I was six (6) years old. Around mid-20s, I started to forget my Japanese. (And I never learned Kanji, LOL.)
Still, my favourite is (Filipino) #SignLanguage. That I need a refresher too. I think I was Grade 9 when I signed-up for sign language classes (outside school), and that was in the mid-90s.
#Languages, it's fun to learn, be it on your own or formal schooling. The way you analyse and think also shifts with the language you use for communication, so it is important to communicate with the proper language.
Example, in Tagalog and Filipino languages, the English "love" can be translated into "mahal" and "iniibig" (there are others).
"Mahal" is, just, "love". But "iniibig" is deeper and romantic. It can't be directly translated into English (but possible in some Asian languages). The closest we can get in English is "deeply love" but a lot is still lost in translation because "iniibig" is also profound, and forever. You can't just say it to another. We can probably say, "iniibig" can only be used for your soulmate.
So, here in the #Philippines you can say "I love you" in English, but there's no meat to it. It's shallow.
But when you say, "Mahal kita", there's seriousness and meat to it.
However, once you say, "Iniibig kita", it's a whole new level, deep level of love (confession). Anyone who hears it will pause and try to process it.
The way we analyse and think is influenced by the language we use to express it.