은유 유형과 숙달도에 따른 베트남인 한국어 학습자의 한국어 은유 이해

Vietnamese Korean learners’ Understanding of Korean Metaphors Depending on the Type of Metaphoric Expression and Proficiency

Metaphoric expressions require pragmatic competence, which allows the listener to understand the implied meaning. This makes it difficult for foreign language learners with different cultural and lingual background to fully understand metaphors of the target language, for it is not used conventionally. This study conducted a two-way ANOVA to determine whether there is a difference between the capabilities of understanding Korean metaphors among Vietnamese learners majoring in Korean languages in Vietnamese Universities, depending on the type of metaphoric expression and proficiency. For this research, Korean metaphors were categorized into 4 types, depending on whether or not the metaphor was used the same way and exists in Vietnamese language. As a result of this study, junior students with better proficiency in all types showed a high understanding in Korean metaphors. In addition, Vietnamese Korean learners showed relatively better understanding in types that had the same forms and meanings in Vietnamese, as well as those that could be understood by using common sense and universal knowledge. On the other hand, it was confirmed that metaphors that do not exist in Vietnamese and metaphors that are based on different cultural specificities were difficult to understand, suggesting the need for education on types of metaphors.