EUNJIN LEE (E-LEARNING CENTER AT CHUNG-ANG UNIVERSITY)
KYUNG-WHAN CHA (Chung-Ang Univerisy)
SE MI HONG (Chung-Ang University)

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF KOREAN AND ENGLISH BODY-RELATED IDIOMS: EXPLORING CULTURE-BOUND DIFFERENCES : INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND GLOBAL COMPETENCIES

This study aims to investigate the cultural differences implied between Korean and English idioms through a comparative analysis. Idioms are part of everyday expressions and often reflect specific cultural backgrounds or mindsets. For this reason, second language learners often struggle to understand the meaning of idioms. In this study, human body-related idioms are collected from the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary and the National Institute of the Korean Language Standard Dictionary. Using Kim’s (2022) classification framework of three levels of equivalence, Korean and English idioms are categorized, and their characteristics and cultural backgrounds are examined. The study finds that in Korean idioms, expressions related to the eyes are frequently used, while in English idioms, expressions associated with body movements or gestures are more common. Additionally, when two languages have the same meaning but use different vocabulary, it can be attributed to the cultural uniqueness of each language. Furthermore, when idioms related to the human body exist in the native language but not in the target language, it can also be due to cultural differences. These findings demonstrate how language reflects the culture, values, and social norms of a particular country, emphasizing the importance of understanding different socio-cultural backgrounds for language learners. This study contributes to promoting cross-cultural understanding by providing practical examples and cultural contexts classified into types of equivalence when learning a target language.

Eun Jin Lee (first author) completed her Ph.D. in English Education at Chung-Ang University and currently works as an e-learning researcher. Her research interests include social media and language learning, culture/intercultural issues, and English motivation.

Kyung-Whan Cha (corresponding author) is a Professor in the Dept. of English Education, at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea. His areas of interest include teaching EFL listening.

Se Mi Hong is currently an undergraduate student in the Department of English Education, at Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea. Her areas of interest include culture/intercultural issues and English phonology and phonetics.