한국어와 태국어의 죽음 표현 비교연구

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the expressions related to death in Korean and Thai. Both Korea and Thailand are located in the same Asian region and have cultural similarity to a certain extent based on Buddhism but have big differences in the aspects of history, geographical background, and language. The similarities and the differences also appear in the expressions related to death. Korea adopted Chinese words and accepted Buddhism and Confucianism very early, so the expressions of death are different according to the social position and class of the deceased. In terms of language, formal styles are expressed in Chinese loan words and informal styles are expressed in native Korean. In terms of religion, the diverse expressions appear in connection with Buddhism, Confucianism, and religions. In the case of the Thai language, the expressions of death are diverse in royal families and the Buddhist monk class, and formal styles are expressed mainly in Pali or Sanskrit, and informal styles are expressed in native Thai. In Thailand, which has hardly been influenced by Confucianism, the expressions of death are diverse based mostly on Buddhist thoughts and religions. It is very meaningful to compare and analyze the expressions related to death in both countries. It is because, not only the social and cultural characteristics of the users of those languages can be understood, but also basic data for language education which will help students to use the expressions of death suitable and appropriate to the circumstances and the context can be provided through diverse expressions related to death in both languages.