국민성

국민성(國民性)을 비교할 때 흔히 등장하는 나라가 프랑스·영국·독일이다. 프랑스 역사가 쥘 미슐레(Jules Michelet·1798~1874)는 “프랑스는 개인이고, 영국은 제국이며, 독일은 민족이다”라고 압축했다. ‘프랑스인은 달린 후에 생각하고, 독일인은 생각한 후에 달리고, 영국인은 걸으면서 생각한다’는 일화도 있다. 프랑스인은 대혁명 같은 역사적 사건을 일단 저질러 놓은 뒤 사태를 추스른다. 독일인은 패망으로 끝난 두 번의 세계대전에서 보듯 목표를 세우면 돌진한다. 영국인은 경험을 쌓고 신중히 전개하는 타입이라고 한다.

내가 한 영작
ⓐNational character
ⓑThe countries that are often cited when people compare national characters are France, the United Kingdom and Germany. French historian Jules Michelet ⓒsummed the national characters of these countries up: “The French put priority on individuals, the British on the empire and the Germans on the nation.” ⓓThere is also a saying that “The French run first and think later ; the Germans think first and run later ; and the British think while they walk.” The French people incite a historical incident like the French Revolution first and then they address the problems later. As were shown in the two world wars that ended with the fall of Germany, the Germans go after their goals when they are set. Whereas, the British are said to be a type of people who accumulate experiences and act with prudence.

Korea JoongAng Daily 에디터가 수정한 문장
ⓐThe pitfalls of ‘our hurry-up culture
ⓑFrance, the United Kingdom and Germany are often cited when people talk about differences in national character. French historian Jules Michelet ⓒsummed it up like this: “The French put priority on individuals, the British on the empire and the Germans on the nation.” ⓓHere’s another one: “The French run first and think later; the Germans think first and run later; and the British think while they walk.” The French incited a historical event such as the French Revolution first and then addressed their problems later. As seen through the two world wars, the Germans first establish and then go for their goals. The British, however, accumulate experience and then act with prudence.

Writing Tip
ⓐ National character → The pitfalls of ‘our hurry-up culture 글의 취지를 살리는 구체적인 제목으로
ⓑ The countries that are often cited when people compare national characters are France, the United Kingdom and Germany. → France, the United Kingdom and Germany are often cited when people talk about differences in national character. 비교되는 세 나라가 꼭 프랑스, 영국, 독일만은 아님, 한국, 중국, 일본 등의 다른 조합도 가능
ⓒ summed the national characters of these countries up → summed it up like this: 반복되는 어휘는 대명사로
ⓓ There is also a saying that → Here’s another one saying은 격언이나 속담을 뜻함

천지불인(天地不仁)이라는 노자(老子)의 통찰력에 새삼 고개가 숙여진다. 자연은 인간에게 너그럽지 않다. 자연 앞에서 인간은 추구(芻狗), 즉 짚으로 만든 개에 지나지 않는다고 했다. 우리에게도 엄청난 천재지변이 닥칠지 모른다. ‘빨리빨리 신화’가 만들어낸 ‘다이내믹 코리아’로 그런 험난한 도전을 극복할 수 있을까. 대한민국 국민성의 경쟁력이 궁금해진다.

내가 한 영작
I cannot but bow at the insight of Lao-tzu who said that ⓐthe nature was not generous to ⓑhuman being. ⓒHe said that human being was nothing but straw dogs in front of the nature. There is no knowing when a natural disaster will fall on us, too. Can we overcome such a hardship with “dynamic Korea” that we created with “hurry up” culture? I wonder whether the national character of the Korean people has competitive edge.

Korea JoongAng Daily 에디터가 수정한 문장
I cannot but bow to the insight of Lao Tzu, who said ⓐMother Nature is not generous to ⓑhumans. ⓒHe said we are nothing but feeble creatures in the face of nature. No one knows when a colossal disaster will befall us, too. Would we be able to overcome such a tragic situation with our “hurry-up” culture? I hope we will be able to prove ourselves in a time of tremendous crisis.

Writing Tip
ⓐ the nature → Mother Nature 자연을 의인화 할 때는 Mother nature로 표현
ⓑ human being → humans 존재로서의 인간이 아니라 많은 사람들을 뜻할 때는 humans를 사용
ⓒ He said that human being was nothing but straw dogs in front of the nature. There is no knowing when a natural disaster will fall on us, too. → He said we are nothing but feeble creatures in the face of nature. No one knows when a colossal disaster will befall us, too. 중국 문화권에 있는 straw dogs라는 표현을 그대로 번역해 사용하면 영어권 독자들은 이해하기 쉽지 않음, ‘자연 앞에서’라는 표현에서 물리적으로 앞에 있는 것이 아니라 ‘in the face of’를 씀

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