Writing a person's name in red is considered very poor form in Korea.
One explanation seemed to be related to the fact that when someone dies
their names are entered in the death roles in red. To write their name
in red was sort of like predicting or wishing a person dead. Even
writing other things in red was discouraged. I didn't get a specific
explanation for things other than names. I did have an older Korean man
recommend (in a friendly way) that I throw away all of my red pens. I
found this to be a bit disappointing since when I went to teach in Korea
for a year one of the things that I had the presence of mind to take was
a box of a dozen of my favorite red pens.
I haven't been to Italy, though.
Beth Benoit wrote:
> Has anyone ever gotten pointedly negative feedback about red ink being
> "culturally insensitive"? A student objected to my use of red ink for
> corrections on a paper (saying his parents agreed!!...) because his
> parents "come from cultures which regard the use of red ink as very
> degrading and insulting" (from his note to me) and he would appreciate
> it if another color could be used in the future. Parents are of
> Italian descent.
>
> I am floored. Am I missing something? Any suggestions for
> response? (A side note which may prejudice you but is [oh, so
> innocently!!] intended for background: The red ink appeared on his
> first draft as feedback for improvement [okay: lots of red ink,
> because it was a very poor paper]; his second draft was handed in
> ignoring my corrections, unchanged from the first; so the second was
> "red-inked"; the final draft was handed in with - once again - no
> changes.)
>
> I have lots to say to defend the grade, but admit I'm stumped about
> the "Red Ink Accusation." Sure, red ink connotes criticism (no duh,
> as the students say), but I am lost on the cultural connotation.
> Help!
>
> Beth Benoit
> University of Massachusetts Lowell
--
Rick Stevens ________________________ [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Psychology Department ________________
http://www.nlu.edu/~stevens/nlupage.html
Northeast Louisiana University ___________ 318-342-1354
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