| [ EnglishOnly ] in KIDS 글 쓴 이(By): Dason (Enlighten) 날 짜 (Date): 1997년06월11일(수) 07시00분40초 KDT 제 목(Title): Re; revise this essay I agree that there is a difference between the Korean culture and the American culture. We cannot help approving that there is a big difference in the way we approach things, in Korean and the US. Therefore, to understand foreign sayings(some American people tend to understand "proverbs" as the Bible's one), we have to understand the cultural background of the foreign country. For example, one of the American sayings is "let sleeping dogs lie." Usually the Koreans say " don't bother eating dogs." Both sayings mean avoiding problems. Many expressions that refer to dogs mean something unpleasant. For other examples , "go to the dogs" -(Ke mang-sin), "in the doghouse" -(Ke pan). In this point of view, both the Americans and the Koreans have similar opinions about dog's image. But, the American saying "lead a dog's life" means to live unhappily. On the other hand, a Korean expression seemingly similar to that is quite different from the meaning of the American one. That is "dog's life is the best life (Ke pal-ja ga sang pal-ja). As mentioned above, that is one of the different ways to approach things, in our country and the US. Another example is "close the door after the horses are gone." Its counterpart in the Korean saying is "after loosing the cows, fix the barn." I know everyone knows what the sayings mean. These sayings teach us that we must prepare for something unfortunate before it comes. What a coincidence! Regardless cultural differences, people's thinking has some similarities. The difference between the two is door and barn, horses and cows. What cultural background made them different? Well, let me tell you my opinion. In America, the fence of barn might be strong, so the important thing to the farmers is to close the door properly, I think. In Korea, people are apt to close door properly in every situation. But, they were not apt to make strong fences. Because, traditionally, the Korean people lived as a large family, and thought that neighbors were the extension of a family. So the fence was just a symbol dividing the properties, not something to protect their houses. That's why they had weak fences, I guess. Ironically, there is a saying that makes counter punch to the Korean saying. No matter how late it may be, fixing the barn is better than never. Briefly, the Americans usually say "better late than never." Anyway, to understand foreign sayings, we must learn about their culture. It takes time. Therefore, if you are to use sayings in an article, you'd better explain what they mean and their backgrounds. |