은유를 통해 본 인터넷의 성격과 속성

Abstract

The paper aims to characterize the nature and properties of the Internet by analyzing the expressions of its conceptual metaphors both in Korean and in English. By doing so, it attempts to shed light on how we view the Internet and how it has influenced our life. The analysis of the data reveals that the Internet is understood to have the following three main types of properties; (1)instrumentality (as it is used as a convenient tool in our everyday life) (2)interactivity (as it is a space where people get involved in diverse interactions with one another) and (3) influencer (as it is a being that influences every aspect of our lives). It should be noted that this finding reflects the historical development of the Internet since its invention as it used to be a simple source of information in the past but now it has become a virtual space where all kinds of interactions and transactions are taking place. A close review of the data also reveals that our view of the Internet has changed accordingly as its sociocultural environment has undergone diverse changes and developments. The Internet has become a predominant entity that has a great impact on almost all phases of our life. This study reveals that language reflects culture as how we view and use the Internet is faithfully reflected in its metaphorical data.