미국의 천식 환자

::: Please correct this and answer. Thanks in advance. :::

Watching a lot of American movies, I got the impression that children-chracters suffering from asthma show up frequently in the movies.
I don't suppose one family has at least one asthmatic in the innter cities of America, do they?
How easily can you  find them around in America? How about in your family?



Korean Ver.
미국 영화를 많이 보았는데, 천식을 앓고 있는 아이들이 영화 속에서 많이 등장하는 느낌을 받았어요.
보통 미국의 대도시에 사는 가족중에서, 한 가족당 한 명의 천식 환자가 있을 것 같다고 생각되는데
실제로 미국에는 천식에 걸린 아이들이 상당합니까? 당신의 가족은 어떻습니까?

There are many ways to phrase your first sentence:

.. After watching a lot of American movies, I got the impression that children suffering from asthma are common characters.  [PAST TENSE: Basically, this would be more appropriately used if you have already watched many movies and it is a pattern you have noticed over time.]

.. Watching a lot of American movies, I get the impression that children suffering from asthma are common characters.  [PRESENT TENSE: Basically, this would be more appropriately used if you are currently watching many movies and you are in the process of noticing this pattern.]

It is incorrect to say "an asthma" but the word "asthma" can be used in these ways:

.. I have asthma.  //  She has asthma.

.. I am suffering from asthma.  // She is suffering from asthma.

Other afflictions and illnesses that follow the same structure [not using an article] are:

.. pneumonia

.. bronchitis

.. cancer

.. arthritis

There are several more, though.  ^^;;  And some, like "allergies // allergy" can be used both ways:

.. My allergies are driving me crazy!

.. My dog has a food allergy.

.. I am allergic to dogs and cats, but I still choose to be a veterinary technician.

Afflictions and illnesses that require an article are:

.. the flu

.. a cold

.. a fever

.. a broken leg/arm/etc.

The sentence structure for, "I don't suppose," has many variables.  I seem to see it used more frequently when someone is making a request or a suggestion:

.. I don't suppose you could lend me a dollar, could you?  [Polite request.]

.. I don't suppose you'd like to have dinner with me tonight, would you?  [Invitation.]

.. I don't suppose we shall ever meet again.  [Statement that can either be said to a person directly or about them.  This is trickier to explain, but a similar sentence is: "I don't think we shall ever meet again."  It's not a request or an invitation, but speculation leaning toward a negative feeling.]

You can still use, "I don't suppose," for this sentence:

.. I don't suppose each family in downtown America has at least one asthmatic?

But it might sound more natural to say something like:

.. Is there at least one asthmatic individual in each family in downtown America?

Also, for future practice, the sentence ending should be "haven't they?" and not "hasn't them?"  Here are some other examples of how to use these:

.. Isn't she lovely?  Isn't she wonderful?  [This is from a song by Stevie Wonder!]

.. She's lovely, isn't she?  She's wonderful, isn't she?

.. Isn't he rude?  //  He's rude, isn't he?

.. Aren't we late?  //  We're late, aren't we?

.. Aren't they noisy?  //  They're noisy, aren't they?

.. Aren't you tired?  //  You're tired, aren't you?

Basically, you take a sentence: "You are tired."  Then flip it around and make it a question!  "YOU're tired, AREn't you?  So, since you wouldn't say, "Them has [something]," but rather, "They have [something]," you would use, "HAVEn't THEY" and you would not use "HASn't THEM".

There are subtle differences between the two ways of phrasing things.  The first way is more like -지요 // 죠?  The second way is when you're actually seeking confirmation, basically another way of asking someone, "Are you tired?  Are we late?  Is he rude?  Is she wonderful?  Is she lovely?"  I think people will understand what you mean either way, though.  ^^

You don't need to start your next sentence with "actually" — it sounds more natural to leave it out.

.. Is it common to meet people with asthma in America?

.. Can you easily find people with asthma in America?

MY ANSWER:

I agree with Jamie on many points; her corrections were good.  ^^  I also agree that, while asthma is fairly common, it's not so common that each family has at least one person afflicted with it.

Asthma is not contagious.  The factors that determine whether or not a person develops asthma can be hereditary, so there is a chance that if your parents have it, you may also end up having it.  Asthma is also partially triggered by your environment, so if you have allergies and live somewhere that you suffer a lot from that, you may be more predisposed to asthma.

I have asthma and so do two of the people I work with.  I am adopted, so I do not know whether anyone else in my biological family has asthma.  ^^;;  Sorry I cannot help more with that.

If any of this is confusing, please message me!  I am not very good at explaining things.  ><;;

미국의 천식 환자

::: Please correct this and answer. Thanks in advance. :::

After watching a lot of (or "many") American movies, I noticed that children with ashma are common characters. 

I don't suppose each family in the downtown area of America has at least one person that has asthma, do they?
Can you find them easily in America? How about your family?

Answer:

I don't think asthma is that common where each family will have at least one person with asthma, but it is a relatively common condition. No one in my family has asthma, and only a couple of people I know have asthma.

I hope this helps :)