日本の「トラ[虎]」にまつわる表現考察 -韓国の「ホーランイ」(호랑이[虎])表現との対照を中心に-

Abstract

This thesis studied how Japanese tiger, "TORA" and Korean tiger, "HORANGI" appear in linguistic expressions and analyzed the common or similar aspects and the differences of those images which show in the expressions. In addition to analyzing the images of metaphorical usages, the study proved that they are based on the cultural background. Namely, it verified semantic variations that "TORA" and "HORANGI" signify, researching on how those images affect on the linguistic expressions in both two cultures. Japanese "TORA" means 'danger', 'strength, power, bravery', and 'wild force' in semantic positions. Korean "HORANGI" means 'danger', 'strength, power, bravery', and 'ferocity, cruelty'. Therefore, both "TORA" and "HORANGI" mainly show the common images, such as 'danger' and 'strength, power, bravery' in their semantic variations, which proved that both Japanese and Korean people strongly believe that the tiger, a king of beasts, is dangerous and ferocious. Through this research, the thesis explains that those powerful and strong images are also closely related with the tiger, one of the Twelve Earthly Branches. Japanese "TORA" is metaphorically used as a fierce animal, which emphasizes the feature as a wild nature. Since a tiger hasn't been an inhabitant of Japan, the term, "TORA", is not connected with Japanese original culture. In contrast, Korean people have been close to tigers and harmed by them. Accordingly, Korean "HORANGI" appears in semantic variations also as a scary and cruel character because it has been affected by the images of monsterology from its legends, narratives and old tales. Japanese "TORA" has a strong image as a wild animal. On the other hand, Korean "HORANGI" has deeply fused into its culture, which shows the power of influence in linguistic expressions.