Lesson 8 The Beauty of Korean Roofs

Communicative Functions

I'm glad you like it.

I have no idea.

I'm so pleased with this tour.

Listen & Think

A. 칭찬에 답하기

(Korean folk village)

W: The traditional Korean houses are so unique and artistic.

M: I'm glad you like them.

W: I wonder what it would be like to live in this kind of house.

M: I lived in one of them when I was a young boy.

W: That must have been a great experience.

Question1: What is the topic about?

Question2: How does the woman feel about traditional Korean houses?

B. 자신의 의견 말하기

W: Do you know how they built that Korean roof?

M: I have no idea.

W: I heard that nails are not used to put the roof together.

M: How is that possible?

W: I'm not sure but I think it's fascinating.

Question1: How does the woman feel about the Korean roof?

Question2: What are not used when making roofs?

C. 기쁨 표현하기

W: What is your impression of Korea?

M: It's wonderful.

W: Did you enjoy the sightseeing?

M: Yes, I did. I'm so pleased with everything.

W: Did you like anything in particular?

M: Yes, I was very impressed by all the old palaces.

Question1: What is the man's impression of Korea?

Question2: What did he particularly like about Korea?

Listen & Do

A. Listen & Answer

Listen to the dialog and answer the questions.

W: Good job, Steve!

M: Do you really think so?

W: Yes. It's great. I was really impressed with your report.

M: I'm glad you liked it.

W: As a matter of fact, it's the best report I've ever read.

M: Thank you.

W: I'll definitely consider your promotion.

M: Thank you.

B. Listen & Match

Listen to the dialog and choose the place they are talking about.

M: Wow! That's real impressive. I wonder if we can get any closer.

W: I want to take a picture of the whole building reflected in the water.

M: Make sure you don't fall in. Look, there's a wooden bridge.

W: We're not allowed to cross the bridge. Anyway, isn't it a beautiful bridge?

M: Yes, it is. The two-story building, the water, the bridge and the trees are in           perfect harmony!

W: Do you think it's a natural pond?

M: I have no idea. Let me look at the guide book. Hmm, it says the pond was built     in 1456.

W: Oh! It's a man-made pond

C. Listen & Write

Listen to the recorded message and complete the poster filling in the           blanks with suitable words.

W: October 5th is the most exciting day this autumn. That is the day the Town of        Blue Valley is holding its 13th Annual Outdoor Festival. There are over 50 prizes       to be won at the ten games. The prizes were made by Blue Valley High School       students. They are very pleased with this festival. There will also be food tables.      The food will be made by the members of Blue Valley Cooking Club at the            community center. It's time to taste their famous meat pie.

Listen & Speak 1

Listen to the dialog and practice with your partner.

M: Take a look at my model.

W: Wow! You made that?

M: I sure did. It's a model of a traditional Korean house.

W: It's beautiful! I love it.

M: I'm glad you like it.

W: Is this for your art class?

M: No. I'm going to enter this model into a contest next week.

W: I think you'll definitely win a prize.

M: Wish me luck!

Key point

W: It's beautiful! I love it.

M: I'm glad you like it.

Listen & Speak 2

Fill in the blanks with sentences from the examples below and practice          with your partner.

A: If you look to the right, you can see the hip or corner of the roof.

B: Yes, I see it.

A: What does it remind you of?

B: I have no idea.

A: It gives you the impression of a bird, doesn't it?

B: Why, yes! You're absolutely right.

A: In the hip, experts say that there is a meeting of heaven and earth.

B: Korean architecture is brilliant! I really like it.

A: I'm glad you like it.

B: It has such rich details.

A: I am also very proud of our ancestors.

B: I'm so very pleased with this tour. I'm learning so much.

A: Come this way. I will tell you more about Korean architecture.

Read & Think  The Beauty of Korean Roofs

Many Korean people take pride in the traditional creative works handed down from their ancestors. One example of traditional creative design can be found in structures such as the roofs of houses and the beams and rafters that support them. The beauty we see in traditional crafts shows us not only the extraordinary creativity of our ancestors, but also their view and feelings toward life.

The Roof's Hip

It has often been said that the beauty of Korea is best seen in its concept of line. In comparing the nature of art in the countries of the Far East, the key words used are form for China, color for Japan, and line for Korea. The best example of Korea's concept of line is the design of the hip or corner of its tiled roofs.

Chinese, Japanese and Korean roofs all look generally similar, but the hip of the Korean roof is a smooth curve, not straight like those in China and Japan. It is more than a curve, though. The hip turns suddenly up toward the sky, giving the impression of flying free like a bird. You get the impression that this massive roof pressing down toward the earth is actually going to take off and fly. It's like a swallow diving down when, with a sudden burst of its wings, it swoops back up into the sky. In the hip we have the meeting of the vertical and the horizontal, where the downward force and the upward force meet, as in a meeting of heaven and earth.

The Main Beam and Rafters

Another beautiful design feature is found inside the traditional Korean house. Korean carpenters are on intimate terms with nature. If you look inside the house, you can see the main beam in the roof. Its appearance makes it seem as if a whole tree had been cut down in the forest and placed there, but it is more refined than the raw logs of the Western log cabin. In this main beam nature survives undamaged, but at the same time you see the human presence through the skill of the carpenter.

If you look upward inside the traditional house, you can see the form and color of

the rafters which hold up the roof.

Above these rafters you can imagine the ribs of tiles on the roof outside climbing up toward the roof ridge line and then the sky.

In becoming a beam, the log's original appearance has changed slightly, and so the beam seems to make a connection between nature and society. While it has the flowing lines of nature, it also has the man-made lines of society. This is where it gets its particular beauty.

When we lie on the floor of the porch, maru, and gaze up at those beams we can experience that unique atmosphere which cannot be felt either inside the house or out in the yard.

The Wind-Bell

The wind-bell, which you can find near the corner of a Korean roof, produces its sound as the result of the force of the wind. The sound of a wind-bell is a single tone, but because its loudness and character depend on the strength of the wind, the sound is constantly changing as the wind pattern changes. It is said that the wind-bell was originally intended to frighten away not only birds but also any unseen evil spirits. If you look closely at a wind-bell, you will find that a flat metal fish designed to catch the wind hangs down from the hammer of the wind-bell. Here is a fish which sings like a bird, while swimming in the air. Why is it made in the shape of a fish? In ancient times people believed that fish never close their eyes and therefore are awake night and day. Hence a fish was probably chosen as a good guard to frighten away evil spirits.

These days traditional Korean houses with their beautiful roofs are becoming increasingly rare. It is easy to understand why people prefer the comfort and convenience of western-style houses and apartments, but these modern buildings have nothing that compares to the beauty of a traditional Korean roof.

Study Notes

A. Sounds

1. Listen carefully.

earth   heard   curve   first   formal   warm   war   floor

2. Listen carefully and fill in the blanks. Read the sentences out loud.

a. Why don't you wear something (warm)?

b. Aren't they against the (war)?

c. The bird flew high above the (earth).

d. He didn't take the (first) bus.

e. His office is on the second (floor).

3. Listen to the linking sounds and repeat.

The best example^of Korea's concept^of line is the design^of the hip^or corner^of its tiled roofs.

Do It Yourself

A. Listen & Do

1. 대화를 듣고, 여자와 남자가 이야기하는 영화와 영화배우에 대해 각각 어떻게 생각하는지 적절한 단어를 써 넣어 도표를 만들어 봅시다.

M: Did you see Annie's Story on TV last night?

W: What? That old film? I saw it years ago.

M: I think it's a wonderful film.

W: I don't like it. It's unreal and too sentimental.

M: Do you really think so? I like it. I think it's a very beautiful story.

W: It's too sentimental and boring. I think you're in love with that actress.

What's her name?

M: Jennifer. She is very beautiful, and a great actress.

W: Well, she is beautiful, but I don't think she is great.

2. 잘 듣고, 여자가 말하고 있는 것을 골라 봅시다.

W: I'm so pleased to have the opportunity to hear from Ellen Dalton, the famous          woman scientist, about wildlife preservation. She was a professor at Durrell            University and she has dedicated her life to the study of wild animals. Now let        me introduce Professor Dalton to you. Professor Dalton, would you please come      up to the stage?

Read & Think

다음 글을 읽고, 물음에 답하시오.

The wind-bell, which you can find near the corner of a Korean roof, produces its sound as the result of the force of the wind. The sound of a wind-bell is a single tone, but because its loudness and character depend on the                     , the sound is constantly changing as the wind pattern changes. It is said that the wind-bell was originally intended to frighten away not only birds but also any unseen evil spirits. If you look closely at a wind-bell you will find that a flat metal fish designed to catch the wind hangs down from the hammer of the wind-bell. Here is a fish which sings like a bird, while swimming in the air. Why is it made in the shape of a fish? In ancient times people believed that fish never close their eyes and therefore are awake night and day. Hence a fish was probably chosen as a good guard to frighten away evil spirits.

1. 위 글에서 언급하고 있는 내용이 아닌 것을 골라 봅시다.

① the origin of the wind-bell              ② the beauty of the wind-bell

③ the sound pattern of the wind-bell      ④ the material of the wind-bell

2. 빈 칸에 들어갈 알맞은 말을 골라 봅시다.

① the size of the wind-bell                ② the weight of the wind-bell

③ the strength of the wind                 ④ the direction of the wind-bell

Let's Learn More 1

A. Listen & Do

대화를 듣고, 요리를 순서대로 나열한 것을 골라 봅시다.

W: Oh, this soup is delicious.

M: I'm glad you like it. It's very easy to make.

W: Could you tell me how to make it?

M: Sure. First, put onions and garlic in a pan and fry them. Then add canned            chicken soup.

W: Just a minute. I need to write that down. Okay. Onions, garlic and canned            chicken soup.

M: Yes. Cook them over a low heat for 10 minutes. Did you get that?

W: Yes, I'm following you. What's next?

M: Then add corn and potatoes and cook until the vegetables are tender.

W: Okay. Corn and potatoes.

M: Pour some milk and stir it for 2 minutes. Then you can serve it with salt.

W: Oh, thank you.

Read & Think

1. 다음 글을 읽고, 밑줄 친 부분의 의미로 가장 적절한 것을 골라 봅시다.

Korean carpenters are on intimate terms with nature. If you look inside the house, you can see the main beam in the roof. Its appearance makes it seem as if a whole tree had been cut down in the forest and placed there, but it is more refined than the raw logs of the Western log cabin. In this main beam nature survives undamaged, but at the same time you see the human presence through the skill of the carpenter.

① 목재가 자연 상태 그대로 보존되었다.

② 목공의 기술이 자연의 아름다움을 훼손시켰다.

③ 목공의 기술과 자연의 아름다움이 조화를 이루었다.

④ 자연의 아름다움에 대해 목공은 신경 쓸 필요가 없었다.

2. 다음 글을 읽고, 우리 나라의 전통 가옥의 수가 점점 줄어드는 이유를 간단한 우리말로 적어 봅시다.

There days traditional Korean houses with their beautiful roofs are becoming increasingly rare. It is easy to understand why people prefer the comfort and convenience of western-style houses and apartments, but these modern buildings have nothing that compares to the beauty of a traditional Korean roof.

Let's Learn More 2

A. Listen & Do

1. 대화를 듣고, 다음 물음에 영어로 답을 써 봅시다.

W: I wonder why the play hasn't begun yet.

M: I think it's still early. Look! There's a clock near the stage. It's six fifty.

W: The play should begin soon. What do you think of Romeo and Juliet?

M: To me, it's the best play in the world. This is the third time I've seen Romeo          and Juliet.

W: Really?

M: Uh,.. I think it's a beautiful love story.

W: Then how about Hamlet?

M: I like Hamlet, too. Oh, the play is going to start now.

They're turning off the lights.

2. 대화를 듣고, 남자의 마지막 말에 대한 여자의 응답으로 가장 적절한 것을 골라 봅시다.

W: Would you like some more cake?

M: No, thanks. I'm full. Can I have some more coffee?

W: Sure.

M: Thanks. Oh, it was a very good dinner.

W: Did you really enjoy it?

M: Yes, I thought it was excellent.

W: ________________________

Read & Think

다음 글을 읽고, 빈 칸 (A)∼(C)에 들어가기에 가장 적절한 것끼리 짝지어진 것을 골라 봅시다.

Korean traditional architecture is characterized by its harmony with nature. Since antiquity, Korean architects have developed a special inclination towards nature, adapting themselves to the environment by interacting with it. Korean buildings were not designed or constructed to conflict with or challenge that the  (A)  environment. Both in design and in engineering,  (B)  elements were kept to a minimum in favor of highlighting the beauty of nature. In the course of construction, special attention was paid to emphasizing  (C)  elements around the building site.

(A)   -   (B)   -   (C)

① artificial - natural - artificial

② artificial - natural - natural

③ natural - artificial - natural

④ natural - artificial - artificial