This study is aimed at analyzing the semantic features of Korean classifiers based on the theory of cognitive linguistics.
Korean classifiers are a kind of language forms generally used in quantity expressions. In quantity expressions, classifiers...
This study is aimed at analyzing the semantic features of Korean classifiers based on the theory of cognitive linguistics.
Korean classifiers are a kind of language forms generally used in quantity expressions. In quantity expressions, classifiers generally respond to the meaning of preceding nouns while showing the units of the quantities of preceding noun referents. Classifiers are used frequently in daily lives in Korea. And because they show the category of noun referents, they always can reflect how humans recognize the things in the world.
In Chapter 1, the purpose and necessity of this study, preceding studies, and research methodologies of this study were addressed. 465 classifier items suggested in Hyeong Shik Woo (2001a) were particularly determined to be used as the objects of this study. And cognitive linguistic approach and contrastive linguistic approach were determined to be used as the research methodologies.
In Chapter 2, the cognitive linguistic foundations of classifier study were discussed. In Verse 2.1, the features of Korean classifiers were investigated. In Verse 2.2, focused on conceptual metonymy theory, conceptual metaphor theory, prototype theory, and construal theory, the applicability of cognitive linguistics in classifier study were examined.
In Chapter 3, Korean classifiers' generation process was discussed. In Verse 3.1-3.3, based on preceding etymology studies, parts of Korean native classifiers' semantic roots were investigated. In Verse 3.4, based on conceptual metonymy theory and conceptual metaphor theory, the cognitive mechanisms which motivated classifiers to be generated from their root words were examined. To put it concretely, on the basis of the contiguity or similarity relations between root word referents and object noun referents, conceptual metonymies and metaphors have played important roles in the process in which independent and practical words developed to be classifiers.
In Chapter 4, based on the usage, the categorization aspects of Korean classifiers were investigated. In this study, for the convenience of analysis, Korean classifiers were divided into 3 big types: organism classifiers, inanimate object classifiers and abstract object classifiers. And, organism classifiers can be subclassified into humanness classifiers, animateness classifiers and vegetativeness classifiers. Inanimate object classifiers can be subdivided into configurational classifiers, functional classifiers, numerical classifiers and partial classifiers. Abstract object classifiers can be subclassified into measure classifiers, temporal classifiers and eventual classifiers. In Verse 4.1-4.3, based on the approach of prototype theory, the categorization aspects of each classifier item were investigated in their specific divisions. In Verse 4.4, focused on the corresponding relations between classifiers and their object noun referents, the categorization aspects of Korean classifiers were summarized and explained by cognitive linguistic methodologies. To put it concretely, the one-to-many relations between classifiers and their object noun referents are motivated by metonymy and metaphor cognitive mechanisms. And the many-to-one relations between classifiers and their object noun referents are motivated by the differences in subject feeling, attention specificity, and attention focus.
In Chapter 5, in order to understand the semantic features of Korean classifiers more deeply, the meanings and usages of Korean classifiers and Chinese classifiers were comparatively analyzed. In Verse 5.1, the lexical itemized contrastive study between Korean classifiers (divided into native classifier and Sino-Korean classifier) and Chinese classifiers was pursued. In Verse 5.2, the semantic categorized contrastive study between Korean and Chinese classifiers was pursued. In Verse 5.3, based on the analysis results of Verse 5.1-5.2, factors which motivated the similarities and differences between Korean and Chinese classifiers were explained by cognitive linguistic methodologies. To put it concretely, the similarities are caused by the prototype-based categorization mechanism and conceptual metaphor and metonymy mechanism which are shared by all human beings. And the differences can be construed by the differences in cognitive tendencies and cultural experiences between Korean conceptualizers and Chinese conceptualizers.
In Chapter 6, focused on Korean language education in China, the implications of Chapter 3-5's analysis results for Korean education as a second language were discussed. In Verse 6.1, by analyzing 4 Korean textbooks, current situation of Korean classifier education was investigated. Concretely, the situation of classifier items selected in textbook's vocabulary lists and educational contents related to classifiers organized in textbooks were investigated. In Verse 6.2, in order to solve the problems in current Korean classifier education, some suggestions were discussed. To put it concretely, on the basis of the lexicon lists and usage frequency that was presented in National Institute of the Korean Language's materials, classifiers for Korean education as a second language were selected tentatively. And, based on Chapter 3-5's analyses, remedial methods in constructing Korean classifiers' educational contents were suggested.
This study has values and significances in the following areas: First, it investigated all the 465 classifier items suggested in Hyeong Shik Woo (2001a) one by one. Therefore, it can be regarded as a relatively overall approach on Korean classifiers. Second, based on the theory of cognitive linguistics, it explained the generation mechanisms and categorization motivators of Korean classifiers. So it can help us to understand Korean people's thinking methods in some way. Third, it comparatively analyzed Korean classifiers with Chinese classifiers. So through this study, Korean classifiers' semantic features can be understood more deeply.
However, this study has yet to be supplemented and continuously developed with respect to following aspects: First, it needs more grammatical approaches on Korean classifiers because this study focused on the semantic approaches only. Second, it needs to research Korean classifier system's diachronic change and the asymmetry of each Korean classifier' synchronic usage frequency delicately. Third, in order to understand the functions of classifiers more deeply, factors which caused the different developmental aspects of each language's classifiers need to be revealed.
，韩语毕业论文，韩语论文 |
