한중 ‘명(明)’ 구성 어휘의 의미 특성 연구

Abstract

This study examines the semantic features of Korean and Chinese words containing the character ‘명(明)' or '明,’ which conveys the meaning of 'bright,’ and analyzes them from a cognitive linguistic perspective. This study demonstrates how the same Chinese character has evolved and been conceptualized in the Korean and Chinese cultures.In both Korean and Chinese, '명' or '明' carries positive semantic features. Humans are basically diurnal animals that are active during the day. Therefore, while it is difficult to protect ourselves from all sorts of invisible dangers at night, it is usually the opposite during the day. As such, understanding light and brightness as a positive concept comes from our daily and physical experiences. On the other hand, the words are used differently due to differences in the language and culture of the countries. Specifically, the Korean word conveys the meaning of [white] in color, [clear] in weather, [east] and [south] in direction and location, [good place] in setting, [fearless] in attitude, [happiness] and [hope] in value, [high-ranking], [honorific] and [royalty] in social hierarchy, and [this life] and [present life] in life. However, there are meanings that only the Chinese word carries, such as [outside] and [surface] in direction and location, [later], [after] and [day] in time, [publicly], [in detail], [officially], and [definitely] in method, [clear] in object, [auditory] in sensory, and [firm], [respect], [worship], and [preciousness] in attitude.