“Speak in the Active, not in the Passive”

Is it due to one of the undesirable influences of the English-focused education boom which has lasted long in Korea that I often hear some “unnatural” Korean passive expressions from my students? You may say it is just a fashion that will go away soon, so it cannot be a big shot. Unfortunately, however, I have already begun to worry about frequent use of those “would-be” Korean passive expressions by my students in their everyday life.

“I like your class because many basics of physics are clearly taught.”

“I am happy that the date for my joining the army has been decided.”

“In order to take the advanced course, it is required to take a basic-level course.”

The above sentences are the English translations of some of “unnatural” Korean passive sentences spoken to me by some of my students. Among them, only the third one is ungrammatical, and the other two are o.k. However, when it comes to the Korean context, all three are very awkward. According to some Korean linguists, the corresponding Korean sentences are all formed in the passive voice, which is neither necessary nor appropriate here.

The pure Korean language is originally a language lack of passive voice or a language with restricted use of passive forms. But due to the strong English influence on Korean for a few decades, many English passive expressions have been literally translated into Korean and often used “unnaturally and rootlessly”.

Passive voice has been used affirmatively in English to represent objectivity or state of affairs, etc. However, there are also some negative implications such as avoidance of responsibility, lack of activeness, etc. What makes me worry at this point is the negative implications of passive voice. Just think about what kind of world we are currently living. We are living in the global world. We need more active participation, more energetic exploration, and tougher spirit in order to compete successfully against the many global people of talents. I am worrying that too much use of “unnatural and rootless” Korean passive forms would weaken and discourage the fighting spirit of my beloved students.

A successful American writer, Stephen King, says: “When I read two pages full of passive sentences, I feel I will scream any minute. Passive is not only weak, indirect and spiritless but also it is distressing and painful.” Will you still favor the “unnatural” use of “rootless” passive sentences in your beautiful mother-tongue, Korean?