“All expats are exiles,” says Peter Liptak, founder

of English-language Exile Press, “I think it’s a

very conscious choice on the part of most people

that want to live abroad — a step way beyond

traveling — to throw yourself into another culture and

figure it out from the inside out.”

Founded in 2009, his publishing company is an outgrowth of that experience.

He feels that by sharing languages, stories and a little vulgarity we can come to

better know one another. With that in mind, he has began publishing As Much

as a Rat’s Tail, a series of four books that explore Korean slang, idioms, proverbs

and more. Subtitled Korean Slang, An Irreverent Look at Language within

culture, the first helps you separate your dae-bak-i-da (that’s great!) from your

gwang-i-da (it sucks!). And the Minnesota-born poet-copyman-publisher’s domain

extends beyond lexical leanings.

On any given day, Liptak can be found in the virtual office, copywriting, working

with book designers, corresponding with Indian e-book experts, or talking

with animation companies, putting together interactive English-learning

e-books for the iPad. So how does it happen all at once? For Liptak, it’s about

creative independence.

“I’d written books for other companies and felt like I was getting raped

by publishers. I wanted to explore the rest of publishing and do it on my

own,” Liptak says. He had written a children’s book, a collection of poetry

and many others — he wanted to be in control of all of it. After two years of

studying printing, typesetting, and the rest, Liptak set out upon the labyrinth

of publishing.

“Books are the worst business you can get into if you want to make any

money, it really has to be a labor of love,” he says, waxing

lyrical about the creative impulse. “It’s the same as

someone who creates a piece of art, or by that same sense,

somebody that builds a house: there are people who might

do it to rush through, get the process done and get some

money, but for me the process is about creating something

that is fun or interesting and makes a difference to me, and

hopefully to other people.”

Through the press, Liptak hopes to cultivate connections. A particular word

or turn of phrase can bring people together. One such experience gave the

new series its title.

Years ago, when he was hailing a cab in front of the American army base

near Itaewon, a fellow foreigner was getting out. He was speaking Korean

rather fluently to the driver. “Wow, you speak Korean well,” Liptak said to him,

to which the stranger replied, “jui-ggo-ri man-geum (as much as a rat’s tail),”

and expression equivalent to “oh, not so well.” Liptak was taken with the easy

confidence, and has loved the phrase ever since — enough to use it as a title

for a book series.

Every time he gets into a taxi and speaks a little Korean, the driver days,

“oh, you speak Korean so well!” A modest jui-ggo-ri man-geum always earns a

smile and bridges the cultural gap. “And instantly, we’re comrades.”

You can find more information on Peter Liptak at www.exilepress.com

by Drake Baer

from : May 10 | ISSUE 43 , GROOVE

The next time you’re at the bar and that cute girl says nui-ddong

geulk-da – you’ll understand she’s saying you think your poop is thick.

Slang hurries faster than a late night text message, and whether you’re native, gyopo

or foreigner, As Much as a Rat’s Tail is loaded with the latest low-brow lyricism

Hangul has to offer. The portable, well-bound paperback is ready to make a home in

your pack or on your bookshelf, ready to be read in pieces or cover to cover.

With helpful icons indexing ddokboki (spicey!) for sex-related terms, soju for

(im)proper drinking etiquette and sushi for Japanese imports, the guide pops

with bright design and readable ruminations regarding an entry’s radical roots

revealing the underbelly of contemporary Korean.

Entertainingly useful entries range from the foul to the sublime. The next

time you’re at the bar and that cute girl says nui-ddong geulk-da – you’ll understand

she’s saying you think your poop is thick; or, if there’s magic between you,

it might be cheot nun, the first snow, referring to love at first sight.

Don’t be a nong-ddaeng-i (do-little or dawdler), pick up Rat’s Tail and pump up your

speech with fresh flavor. One caveat: if you’re an English teacher, you might want to

keep it out of your classroom.

As Much As a Rat’s Tail: Korean Slang, An Irreverent Look at Language within

Culture is available at Seoul Selection and can be ordered on the What the Book?

website.

By Peter Liptak and Siwoo Lee

from : May 10 | ISSUE 43 , GROOVE

from : http://rki.kbs.co.kr/vod/rki_vod.htm?m_name=people&file_name=e100618.wmv&title=&date=&lang=e&starttime=&endtime=&info=#

평소 삼겹살과 소주에 마늘까지 즐기는
한국어 공부에 열심이던 외국인 친구들을 위해
특별한 선물을 하고 싶었던 나.

괜찮은 한국어 책 없나 서점을 어슬렁 어슬렁~
한국어 책은 커녕 서점에는 영어책만 수북.
시중에 판매되고 있는 영어공부 책은
토익부터 회화까지 다양한 스타일의
눈길을 끄는 책들이 많이 나와있지만,

한국어책은 글쎄.. 컬러로 된 책은 찾기 너무 힘들고
각 대학교 한국어학당에서 출판한 교과서같은 책들만 가득
더군다나 초급 중급 상급
기역니은디귿ㄱㄴㄷㄹ 부터 시작하는
아주 기초적인 책들이 전부였다

‘흥, 다 거기서 거기 거기서 거기군.’생각하는 와중에
보석같은 책을 발견!! 0ㅁ0)/올레!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
흙 속에 진주로구나 아라리요@_@

As much as A Rat’s Tail. 일명 쥐꼬리만큼!!!!!
사실 나는 고등학교 졸업 후 회화위주의 영어만 해서 그런지
실질적으로 외국인처럼 말하는 방법! 을 많이 배우고 싶었다.
숙어라던가, 슬랭같은 표현말이다.

영어에 대한 나의 이런 마음을 백번 생각해
분명 내 (외)친들도 이런 걸 원할거야! 생각하고
단번에 책을 샀다.

서점에는 딱 한권! 럭키~ 잽싸게 책을 사들고
펼쳐봤다. OMG(oh my god)
당췌 나도 몰랐던 비속어들이 후두둑ㅋㅋㅋ

책의 목차라면 목차.
Rice- 밥 먹듯 쓰는 말
Panchan- 때때로 쓰는 말
Soju-술 마실 때 쓰는말
Kimchi pot- 매운 말 그리고 욕;
Ddokboki-성적인 표현
Coffe-서양에서 유래된 외래 비속어, 콩글리쉬
Sushi-일본에서 유래된 비속어
School-학교에서 쓰는 말

비속어를 때와 장소를 구분하여 사용할 수 있도록
한국 스타일 소개; 후후

시작은 ㄱ부터 ㅎ까지 국어사전, 또는 영어사전처럼 순서대로 나열되어 있답니다.
자, 먼저 ㄱ으로 시작하는 한국 비속어 뭐가 있을까요

오.. 첫장부터 간지나는 말들로 가득하군요 ㅋㅋ
간지난다[gan-ji-nan-da]
look cool or be cool; off the hook

단어소개가 나오고, 한국어 발음기호 나오구요. 뜻 나옵니다.
그리고 그 아래 단어의 유래가 나오는데요
이런, 나도 몰랐던 간지난다의 유래..

‘제주도의 방언에서 유래한 것으로 생각된다. 제주도에서는 이 간지라는 단어가
횃대를 의미했다. 횃대는 옷걸이를 의미하는데 옷태가 잘 나거나, 옷입는 스타일에 감각이 있는
사람을 보고 이 말을 쓴다.(또한 간지는 느낌을 의미하는 일본어로부터 유래되어졌다고 추측되기도 한다.)’
라고 나오네요.
(이하 영어문장 생략)모든 문장이 영어로도 써있기 때문에 영어 공부하기에도 아주 적절한 책이지요;ㅁ;

그에 맞는 대화문 한국어, 영어버전으로 나와있습니다.
너 간지난다! 오늘 어디 가? (wow, u look ganginanda. u goin somewhere today?)
하하 오늘 입사면접이 있어서 신경 좀 썼어. (ha ha, my interview’s today so I put effort into it.)
이하 생략.

그럼 갈구다[gal-gu-da]
to tease, nag, irritate or annoy
 
‘갈구는 본래, 무엇인가를 간절히 바라는 것을 의미한다.
하지만 친구들 사이에서 특정 인물을 심하게 놀리는 행위를 뜻한다.’

너 오늘 머리 꼬라지가 왜그러냐? 완전 2:8 가르마네 (what;s wrong with ur hair today? Perfectly parted 2:8)
아~ 그만 좀 괴롭혀, 맨날 갈궈. (ah, quit mocking me. everyday, galguda.)
p.s 2:8[ee dae pal] 80% over the top, a combover.
이대팔의 의미가 친절하게 나와있군요.

그 외 강추, 골때린다, 귀차니즘 등의 단어 소개가 되어있습니다.

쉬어가는 코너 sound box. 입니다.
또 다른 친구 Ryan 은 이 책을 보고 뭔가 안좋은 일이 있을 때, 
허구언날 아이고.. 라고 말합니다. 할머니 같다고 말하면
니가 선물해 준 책에서 배웠어! 아이고.. 아이고.. ㅋㅋㅋ
억양까지 어찌나 한국사람처럼 말하는지 귀엽습니다..*_*

ㄴ으로 시작하는 대표 비속어 뭐가 있을 까요.
네똥 굵다! wow 아주 많이 사용되는 표현이죠
흥, 니 똥 굵다 그래 ㅋㅋ 

미국에도 이 책을 들고 갔더랬죠.
다들 관심있게 책을 들여다 보는 중에
똥침 이란 단어에서 다들 빵 터졌죠

똥침[ddongchim](Poop acupuncture)
내친김에 똥침 똥침 하면서 두 손을 마주잡고 총모양을 만들어
똥침하는 시늉을 했더니 다들 자지러지더군요.. ^^;

그 외, 똥강아지, 똥개, 똥개훈련, 똥돼지, 똥값, 똥고집 똥구녕이 찢어지게 가난하다. 등 등
똥이라는 단어에 관한 집중 코너가 있습니다. 개인적으로 제일 마음에 드는군요!

외국인들이 신기해하기도 하고 코웃음치기도 하는 콩글리쉬 부분도 있네요
한국식 영어를 이해하는데 참 많은 도움이 됩니다.

Reviews
This book is the bomb!-mr.kim
A must read for Koreans and foreigners alike!-mr.park
Shockingly fun!-mr.lee
Great bathroom reading!-another mr.lee
오우, 공감해요 화장실에서 읽기 좋은 책이 가장 좋은 책:)

이번에 한국을 떠나는 melissa를 위해서
책 한권 급하게 주문했습니다. 오늘 송별회에 와준 친구들에게
한명 한명 수영이에게 선물받았다고 끊임없이 자랑하면서
너무 좋아하더군요ㅋㅋ

일전에 미국에 가기 전 많이 챙겨준 ryan에게도 선물을 했는데
오늘 만나서는 나한테는 하트가 2개나 써있다.
니 책에는 이름만 써있지 않느냐
내 책에는 뽀뽀도 해줬다
또 뭐가 있느냐 서로 귀여운 다툼을 하더군요.

from : http://cyhome.cyworld.com/?home_id=a3611027&postSeq=4969006

For expatriate residents of Korea, it’s common to learn a few words or simple phrases in Korean. But far fewer foreigners make the investment of money or time to enroll in Korean language classes. Fewer still can create the intimacy that comes with a grasp of Korean’s colorful array of slang and idioms. After nearly 15 years in Korea, my guest, Peter Liptak, has published a book about Korean slang titled, “As Much As a Rat’s Tail” with co-writer Siwoo Lee. A poet, author, teacher and publisher, Peter obtained a Masters Degree in Korean History at Yonsei University and launched the publishing house, Exile Press. Peter has appeared on Korean television, has recently become “addicted” to ultra-marathoning, and says that Korea is a source of inspiration, both linguistic and otherwise.
During our interview, I talk with Peter Liptak about slang’s usefulness as a social lubricant, what inspires his own writing, and exactly, how much is a “rat’s tail?”

from : http://rki.kbs.co.kr/english/culturenlife/culturenlife_seoulreport_detail.htm?No=2955

Slang moves faster than a late night text message, and whether you’re native, gyopo, or foreigner, As Much as a Rat’s Tail is loaded with the latest lowbrow lyricism Hangul has to offer. The portable, well-bound paperback is ready to make a home in your pack or on your bookshelf, ready to be read in pieces or cover to cover. With helpful icons indexing ddokboki (spicey!) for sexual terms, soju for (im)proper drinking etiquette and sushi for Japanese imports, the guide pops with bright design and readable ruminations regarding an entry’s radical roots revealing the underbelly of contemporary Korean.

 Entertainingly useful entries range from the foul to the sublime. The next time you’re at the bar and that cute girl says nui-ddong geulk-da – you’ll understand she’s saying you think your poop is thick; or if there’s magic between you, it might be cheot nun, the first snow, referring to love at first sight.

 Don’t be an nong-ddaeng-i (do-little or dawdler), pick up the Rat’s Tail and pump up your speech with fresh flavor. One caveat: if you’re an English teacher, you might want to keep it out of your classroom. 

As Much As a Rat’s Tail: Korean Slang, An Irreverent Look at Language within Culture is available on Amazon in the US and at Seoul Selection in Korea.

Slang moves faster than a late night text message… A Rat’s Tail is loaded with the latest lowbrow lyricism Hangul has to offer. It pops with readable ruminations regarding radical roots revealing the underbelly of contemporary Korean. Entertainingly useful entries range from the foul to the sublime… pick up the Rat’s Tail and pump up your speech with fresh flavor.

Faster than a late night text message… A Rat’s Tail is loaded with the latest lowbrow lyricism Hangul has to offer, with readable ruminations regarding radical roots revealing the underbelly of contemporary Korean from the foul to the sublime… pump up your speech with fresh flavor.

review by Drake Baer

Forget the textbooks! This is what the kids are REALLY saying on the streets.

This is a well thought out, well laid out, and well organised text. Not only do you get the vocabulary, each page gives you a true-to-life dialogue along with the background and origin of each slang term.

Full credit to the authors. Use some of these gems with your Korean friends and you’re sure to raise more than a few eyebrows

By  J.W.Atkinson

May 18, 2010

This review is from: As much as a Rat’s Tail : Korean Slang (English and Korean Edition) (Paperback)

By  J. Sitt

May 2, 2010

This review is from: As much as a Rat’s Tail : Korean Slang (English and Korean Edition) (Paperback)

I’ve got a copy of the Korean edition which is fantastic. I’m an English language instructor at a Korean university in Seoul. I’ve used this book as a conversation starter in my classes and the Korean students are amused, shocked & amazed. I’ve often heard exclaimed, “Teacher, you shouldn’t learn these bad words!” Well, red rag to a bull…Anyway, this is the most practical Korean you’ll find in any book about the Korean language. Bust these lines on your new Korean friends and watch their jaws drop at your masterful and deep understanding of their language…

Beautiful layout & good organisation, easily accessible information, all the lists you need with all the words you need to know, example phrase usage in sample dialogues (in Korean and in English using the Korean phrase). unlike any other Korean slang books, there are explanations of everything so you can know that you’re using the material right!

 Very cool guys. Thanks for making this book! I keep it with me at all times now

By  Mr. Luke B. Doyle

This review is from: As much as a Rat’s Tail : Korean Slang (English and Korean Edition) (Paperback)

April 19, 2010