ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This paper classified types of polite expressions used in the Korean language according to linguistic levels of phonemes, grammar, vocabulary, and pragmatics. It also examined characteristics of each type. This was done through a questionnaire survey on the degree of speakers' recognition of politeness intensity and use frequency of politeness expressions. The politeness expressions were prioritized according to use frequency and politeness intensity: honorific verbs and modesty or honorific nouns on the level of vocabulary are ranked first and second; dative particle, 'kke' on the level of grammar, ranked third are proportional to use frequency and politeness intensity; and the stage 5 of indirect request expressions, the stage 4 of indirect refusal expressions and hedges of apologetic expressions on the level of pragmatics, each of which is ranked fourth-sixth respectively, are not proportional to them. Although the politeness intensity of honorific expressions is high in terms of grammar, speakers are unwilling to use them, due to their formal traits and strictness. Therefore, it can be found that pragmatic factors play more important role in real speaking, because the generation mechanism that provokes politeness consists of pragmatic factors rather than grammar factors. Thus, the politeness is derived from the intention to respect, express intimacy to, save face of and care for others, which can be effectively manifested by the pragmatic generation mechanism.

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