Hello everyone! My name is Su Anh Ussery and I am a senior at UO for my bachelors in East Asian Studies with a focus in Korean History. I’m half Vietnamese and I speak 5-ish languages (English, German, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Korean, and some Japanese though I’m not fluent)! I just got back from studying abroad for a year at Korea University in Seoul, and I’m so excited to move back when I graduate. I have also been to Vietnam to visit my grandparents and Beijing to visit my friends, and I would love to travel all over Asia someday since every country is unique and diverse!
My last photo in Korea of the departure terminal; I’m always traveling and it’s my reminder I’ll return!
As for what interests me about East Asian languages and societies, since I am Vietnamese I was interested in how Vietnam was sometimes included in East Asian dichotomies but sometimes also separated into South East Asian as well. This led to more research into East Asia and I completely became enraptured with Korea’s long and turbulent history. Going from suzerain to China to somewhat independence to annexed land to independent yet split once more is fascinating to study. I have also taken many courses about Chinese and Japanese history and culture as well, and I love learning any kind of history, particularly arts!
One question that has intrigued me thus far is how, even though they developed somewhat mutually, how did languages of East Asian countries originate independently? And what reflection has this had on their societal development. The teaching methods I would describe as in depth analysis of each language and structure with plenty of examples and readings for reference. My own approach to learning is to not only do what is required for the course, but to find certain subjects of the material to do a more in depth personal study outside of class. I am assuming this course will be much the same, as it fits my major and is a topic I am extremely passionate about.
Finally, this course is definitely challenging my perspective, so far we have already been taught information that dispels frequently thoughts myths about East Asian language (such as genetic relation of alphabets) and describing how the language actually developed. It’s an interesting lesson to always do more research, and I look forward to the rest of the term!