Is the "dog" in the proverb the one eating? Debate arises
National Institute of the Korean Language says,
"Even a lowly animal should not be beaten while eating"
"Even a dog is not disturbed while eating."
An online debate over the interpretation of this proverb has sparked a controversy about reading comprehension among internet users.
YouTuber Mingzzi explaining the interpretation of the proverb "Even a dog is not disturbed while eating." Mingzzi YouTube
On July 21, a video titled "Dog Food vs. Human Food" was uploaded to the social media account of Mingjji (30, real name Cha Minjin), a YouTuber known as a Korean language academy instructor in Daechi-dong. In the video, Mingjji mentioned the proverb "Even a dog is not disturbed while eating" and explained that its interpretation is divided into two different views.
Mingjji argued that the meaning of the proverb changes depending on whether the "dog" is seen as the one eating or as the one disturbing. If the dog is considered the one eating, the proverb means "No matter how insignificant the being, do not disturb them while they are eating." On the other hand, if the dog is seen as the one disturbing, it means "Even a tactless animal like a dog does not disturb a person while they are eating."
Mingjji stated that she had always thought of the dog as the one eating, but acknowledged that the other interpretation also makes sense. She added, "It's unclear what the particle 'do' attached to 'dog' refers to, so both interpretations seem plausible."
Mingjji included a poll in the video to gather opinions, and responses were evenly split. In particular, those who viewed the dog as the one eating criticized the other interpretation as a reading comprehension issue. As the discussion spread online, it escalated into a broader debate about reading comprehension.
In response, on July 23, the National Institute of the Korean Language stated, "The proverb means that even a lowly animal should not be beaten while eating, and that no matter what wrong has been done, one should not beat or scold anyone while they are eating." The institute thus recognized the dog as the one eating. They also noted that there are similar proverbs such as "Even a dog is not beaten while eating" and "One does not beat a dog while it is eating."
The Standard Korean Language Dictionary also defines the proverb as "Even a lowly animal should not be beaten while eating; it means that no matter what wrong has been done, one should not beat or scold anyone while they are eating."
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