한국에 대한 중국 대학생의 자유연상 어휘 분석

Abstract

This study aims to identify the image of and preferences regarding Korea among Chinese college students through an analysis of free association words. The research method is as follows. A survey was conducted to investigate free association words related to Korea introduced by Chinese college students, and the identified words were searched for on Chinese websites and their postings analyzed. In particular, the meaning, language environment, and word combination of free association words found in the postings were analyzed. As a result, this paper reached the following findings. Some of the free association words about Korea, such as “Hanguo paocai,” “Hanguo zhengrong,” “Gaoli bangzi,” and “Hanliu mingxing,” are listed in the online dictionary. These words are generally used in China as representative of Korea. Further, their characteristic word combination is that most of them use the prefixes “Hanguo-,” “Gaoli-,” and “Hanliu-.” Newly coined words associated with Korea include “Ouba,” “Simida,” and “Hanliu,” many of which are related to Korean language and culture. The words carrying emotion—such as “Ouba,” “Bangzi,” and “Simida”—either convey satirical nuance or evoke a positive feeling. These words have either been used since ancient times in China or were created recently. Among these, the new word “Ouba” often refers to entertainers, conveying a positive meaning, while the rest are often used in a satirical sense. Some of the free association words regarding Korea—such as “Ouba” and “Meinu”—have added meanings in the Chinese language. These words are mostly used to refer to Korean celebrities in China. In particular, the Korean address term “Oppa” varies depending on the gender of the speaker, which is not found in the Chinese language. The Chinese term “Ouba” often indicates Korean male entertainers, and more recently, may refer to Korean men in general.