I studied the vending machine for several minutes before inserting my coins and making a selection. Each button had a series symbols made up of letters from the Korean alphabet. Concentrating on each block of symbols, I haltingly pronounced each segment. Very slowly. My lips could form the sounds, but my brain did not comprehend the phrase. Until one fortuitous word. The first two blocks were identical, followed by a basic vowel. 코코아 Like Grover’s word of the day on Sesame Street I carefully joined the three syllables. CO – CO – A “Hot chocolate!” my feet did a little excited dance. It was revelation. For me. Because it was…