한국어와 일본어의 감염증에 관한 속담의 비교고찰

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze and examine the types of infectious diseases and disease perceptions of people in the past through Korean and Japanese proverbs, using a folklore perspective. Infectious diseases mentioned in proverbs were classified into types, and the perception of infectious diseases among people in traditional societies in both countries was investigated using semantic analysis and linguistic expression of proverbs describing these diseases. The findings of this study are as follows: First, Korean proverbs included more infectious diseases than Japanese proverbs, with colds, smallpox, and measles accounting for a sizable proportion. Infectious diseases, which have caused fear and anxiety for many people throughout history, are described in proverbs with specific and realistic descriptions of the symptoms that appear during the disease's progression as well as the symptoms that appear after the disease. Furthermore, the perception of the disease's aftereffects is revealed, and we can see the people's anxious feelings and desperate desire to get rid of the disease as soon as possible. In terms of the proportion of infectious diseases, 'abscess' has the highest proportion in Korean proverbs, whereas'syphilis' has the highest proportion in Japanese proverbs. I also discovered the following significant differences in people's perceptions of diseases in proverbs. First, Korean proverbs suggest folk remedies based on "myths" and "shamanistic beliefs" for dealing with and treating infectious diseases, with descriptions that suggest 'healing' standing out. Second, unlike Korean proverbs, Japanese proverbs reflect a unique disease perception, with 'syphilis' appearing in the highest proportion and being viewed as a symbol of masculinity rather than shame. This characteristic of Japanese proverbs is thought to reflect the distinct sexual customs practiced during the modern Edo period.