earticle

영어

This article examines the aspects of the meaning extensions of the body terms, ‘meri’ and ‘elkwul’, which are closely related to its central meaning, along with its peripheral meaning, due to its positional proximity. To do so, each of the ‘meri’ and ‘elkwul’ was studied in respect of their place, form, constitution, and function. The characteristics and differences of their meaning extensions were also considered. Through this study, it confirmed that the meaning extension of Korean body terms has a complicated structure, so that ‘meri’ and ‘elkwul’ in Korean cannot be explained simply as distinct elements which form their basic meanings. We also investigate the universality and distinctiveness as body terms. (Pusan National University)