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Issues concerning Discussions on Contemporary Korean (de)Grammaticalization

Yang Young Hee 1

1전남대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the fact that there is no rudimentary discussion on (de)grammaticalization, and therefore tries to synthesize it extensively and consistently for future discussions. In this context, this paper first defines grammaticalization, which has been defined diversely so far, as ‘diachronic and synchronic procedures in which lexical units are transformed into grammatical units with possible changes in the meaning,’ focusing on ‘grammatical forms’. Based on this definition, degrammaticalization is defined as ‘a linguistic phenomenon in which grammatical units are transformed into lexical units.’ In addition, this study notes that there have been different opinions regarding the relationship between (de)grammaticalization and lexicalization. It is due to the varying viewpoint, that is, whether grammaticalization units should be limited in grammatical forms or it should be expanded into the lexical category. Analyzing and criticizing these opinions, this paper takes a position that assumes there is no relationship between grammaticalization and lexicalization, with the exception that the reanalysis is permitted. In this case, (de)grammticalization is accepted. Finally, this study points out that existing viewpoints about the (de)grammaticalization procedure according to grammatical categories are also diverse and confusing. Therefore, it is suggested that the procedure be arranged as ‘noun, verb, adjective, adverb>bound noun, assistant verb, determiner, pronoun, prefix/suffix> postposition, ending.’ Furthermore, the counter-procedure is defined as ‘degramiticalization.’

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.