Analogies: Set 3

Learning versus Learning a Language (2)

Just because you know some words does not mean that you know the language. You still have to learn the grammar, punctuation, and syntax. If you decide to learn a language, you must decide how you want to learn, on your own or with others, or with a private teacher or in an organized class. In evaluating these questions, you find that if you try to learn on your own from books, videos, DVDs, and such, you will not have anyone to correct your mistakes, reinforce your efforts, or to encourage you. A self-taught language may not be understood by anyone but you. The same things are true in learning Taekwondo. Self-taught self-defense may lead to serious injuries if not properly done and it may be even be deadly to the user when it is actually used. Studying language with others allows you to help each other and gives you some comparison as to how well you are proceeding. The same is true with learning Taekwondo.

Like a language, Taekwondo has its own terminology, grammar, punctuation, and syntax. You learn the correct terminology for techniques so that you will be understood anywhere in the world Taekwondo is practiced. Taekwondo's syntax comes from learning the way techniques are performed, the order they are performed, when they are performed, and why they are performed. Taekwondo's punctuation is the speed, tempo, and rhythm of its techniques.