Article published In:
Pragmatics: Online-First ArticlesNotes on word order variation in Korean
This article aims to develop an analysis of scrambling or word order variation in Korean from a
pragmatic/cognitive perspective. Although extensive research has been carried out on this issue, most extant research attempts to
provide analyses of the phenomenon by identifying grammatical features posited for syntactic operations. Unlike the previous research,
we demonstrate that word order variation needs to be understood with respect to its communicative function; it is motivated by the
speaker’s intention to convey information more effectively. It is emphasized that understanding the association between
information structure and word order variation should be an essential task for the analysis of the latter phenomenon. We further
discuss five conversational strategies that motivate non-canonical word orders, which include juxtaposition, backmasking, right
dislocation, add-on, and floated quantifier strategies.
Keywords: add-on, backmasking, floated quantifiers, juxtaposition, reference point, right-dislocation
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Topic in Korean
- 2.1Defining topic
- 2.2Reference point
- 3.Focus in Korean
- 4.The juxtaposition strategy
- 5.Postposed topic
- 5.1The backmasking strategy
- 5.2The right dislocation strategy
- 6.The add-on strategy
- 7.Floated quantifiers
- 7.1Issues with FQs
- 7.2Why do quantifiers float?
- 8.Conclusion
- Notes
- The abbreviations used in the glosses are as follows
-
References
References (64)
Ahn, Dorothy, and Heejeong Ko. 2022. “On
Non-conservativity of Korean Floating Quantifiers.” Glossa: A Journal of General
Linguistics 7 (1): 1–34. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ahn, Hee-Don, and Sungeun Cho. 2016. “A
Uniform Analysis of Right-Dislocation: A Reply to Ko (2016).” Language
Research 52 (5): 213–245![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ahn, Dorothy, and Uli Sauerland. 2017. “Measure Constructions with Relative Measures: Towards a Syntax of Non-conservative Construals.” The Linguistic Review 34 (2): 215-248. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Choi, Hye-Won. 1999. Optimizing
Structure in Context: Scrambling and Information
Structure. Stanford: CSLI Publications.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Choi, Kiyong. 2001. “hankwuke swulyangsa kwuseng-uy kwuco-wa uymi: pisokkyekhyeng-ul
cwungsim-ulo [The Structure and Interpretation of Non-genitive Numeral
Classifier Constructions in Korean].” Language
Research 37 (3): 445–480.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Choi, Yoonji. 2016. “hankwuke cengpokwuco yenkwu [A Study on the Information
Structure in Korean Language].” Ph.D. dissertation. Seoul National University.
Chomsky, Noam. 1971. “Deep
Structure, Surface Structure and Semantic
Interpretation.” In Semantics: An Interdisciplinary Reader in
Philosophy, Linguistics and Psychology, ed. by Danny D. Steinberg, and Leon A. Jakobovits, 183–216. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Chung, Hi-Ja. 1996. “yenge tamhwaeyse chocemhyengkwa eswunpyenhyeng [Focal Mode and
Word Order Variations in English Discourse].” Journal of Language
Science 31: 227–257.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ford, Cecilia E., Barbara A. Fox, and Sandra A. Thompson. 1996. “Practices
in the Construction of Turns: The “TCU”
Revisited.” Pragmatics 6 (3): 427–454.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ford, Cecilia E., and Sandra A. Thompson. 1996. “Interactional
Units in Conversation: Syntactic, Intonational and Pragmatic Resources for the Projection of Turn
Completion.” In Interaction and Grammar, ed. by Elinor Ochs, Emanuel A. Schegloff, and Sandra A. Thompson, 134–184. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Fukushima, Kazuhiko. 1991. “Phrase
Structure Grammar, Montague Semantics, and Floating Quantifiers in Japanese.” Linguistic and
Philosophy 141: 581–628. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Furuya, Kaori. 2018. “A
Reconsideration of the (Non-)uniform Syntax of Korean Right-Dislocation
Description.” Linguistic
Research 35(2): 275–304. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gundel, Jeannette K. 1974. “The Role of Topic and Comment in
Linguistic Theory.” Ph.D. dissertation. University of Texas.
Gundel, Jeannette K., and Thorstein Fretheim. 2004. “Topic
and Focus.” In The Handbook of Pragmatics, ed.
by Laurence R. Horn, and Gregory Ward, 175–196. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing,![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Gunji, Takao, and Koiti Hasida. 1989. “Measurement
and Quantification.” In Topics in Constraint-Based Grammar of
Japanese, ed. by Takao Gunji, and Kôiti Hashida, 39–79. Dordrecth: Kluwer Academic Publishers.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Han, Jeong-han. 2000. “swulyangsa yutongkwumwun-uy cengpokwuco [Information Structure
of Korean Quantifier Float Constructions].” Korean
Semantics 61: 233–247.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Halliday, Michael A. K., and Christian M. I. M. Matthiessen. 2004. An
Introduction to Functional Grammar. London, UK: Hodder Arnold.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Jun, Youngchul. 2019. “hankwuke cengpokwuphyoci un/nun-uy uymi [A
Semantics for (n)un as an Information Structure Marker: With a Focus on the Meaning of
Contrast].” Eoneohag: Journal of the Linguistics Society of
Korea 851: 99–137.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kang, Beom-Mo. 2002. “Categories
and Meanings of Korean Floating Quantifiers: With Some Reference to Japanese.” Journal of East
Asian Linguistics 111: 375–398. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kang, Soyoung. 2008. “eswuntochikwumwun-uy tamhwakinung pwunsek [A Discourse
Function of Inversion].” Korean
Semantics 261, 1–20.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
. 2014. “hankwuke kwuetamhwaeyse chwukaeuy tamhwakinung yenkwu [A Study
on Discourse Functions of Add-on in Korean Spoken
Discourses].” Textlinguistics 371: 13–39.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Alan Hyun-Oak. 1998. “Preverbal Focusing and
Type XXIII Languages.” In Studies in Syntactic
Typology, ed. by Michael Hammond, Edith A. Moravcsik, and Jessica Wirth, 145–169. Amsterdam & Philadelphia: John Benjamins. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Christina. 2005. “Order
and Meaning: Numeral Classifiers and Specificity in
Korean.” In Proceedings of the 24th West Coast Conference on Formal
Linguistics, ed. by John Alderete, 218–226. Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Proceedings Project.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Haeyeon. 2004. “tayhwasang-eyse eswunpyenihyeng-kwa chemkaekwumwun-ey tayhan sanghocakyongcek
cepkun [An Interactional Approach to Word Order Variability and Turn
Increments in Conversation].” Journal of
Humanities 371: 97–113.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Jong-Bok. 2013. “Floated
Numeral Classifiers in Korean: A Non-derivational, Functional
Account.” Lingua 1331: 189–212. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Jong-Bok, and Jaehyung Yang. 2007. “Syntax
and Semantics of Korean Numeral Classifier
Constructions.” In Proceedings of the 14th International Conference
on Head-Driven Phrase Structure Grammar, ed. by Stefan Müller, 136–172. Stanford: CSLI Online Publications. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Kyu-hyun. 2008. “hankwuke tayhwakwuco-wa mwunpep: tayhwapwunsekuy sikak [Conversational Structures and Grammar in Korean: A Conversation-analytic Perspective].” Korean
Journal of Applied
Linguistics 23 (3): 31–62. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Min-Sun. 2007. “hankwuke-uy mokceke cenchi-wa cosa-ey ttalun cengpokwuco [Object-Preposing in Korean and Information Structure].” Korean
Semantics 231: 23–47.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kim, Yu-jin. 2008. “tayhwa-uy tochikwumwun-ey nathananun kangcophyohyen-ey tayhan yenkwu [A Study on an Emphasis Expression Seen in Inversion Sentences in
Conversation].” Korean Language and
Culture 371: 89–109.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Ko, Heejeong. 2007. “Asymmetries
in Scrambling and Cyclic Linearization.” Linguistic
Inquiry 381: 49–83. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
. 2015. “Two
Ways to the Right: A Hybrid Approach to Right Dislocation in Korean.” Language
Research 51 (1): 3-40.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kumashiro, Toshiyuki. 2016. A
Cognitive Grammar of Japanese Clause
Structure. Amsterdam: Benjamins. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kumashiro, Toshiyuki, and Ronald W. Langacker. 2003. “Double-Subject
and Complex Predicate Constructions.” Cognitive
Linguistics 141: 1–45. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kuno, Susumu. 1978. “Theoretical
Perspectives on Japanese Linguistics.” In Problems in Japanese Syntax
and Semantics, ed. by John Hinds, and Irwin Howard, 213–285. Tokyo: Kaitakusha.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
. 1995. “Null
Elements and Parallel Structures in Japanese.” In Japanese Sentence
Processing, ed. by Reiko Mazuka, and Noriko Nagai, 209–233. NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Kuno, Susumu, and Ken-ichi Takami. 2003. “Remarks
on Uaccusativity and Unergativity in Japanese and
Korean.” In Japanese/Korean
Linguistics, vol. 121, ed.
by William McClure, 280–294. Stanford, CA: CSLI Publications.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
2001. “Topic, Subject, and
Possessor.” In A Cognitive Approach to the
Verb, ed. by Hanne Gram Simonsen, and Rolf Theil Endresen, 11–48. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, Ki Gap. 1996. “hankwuke chemka
kwumwun-uy tamhwalon-cek haysek [A Discourse Analysis of Add-on
Constructions in Korean].” Journal of Korean
Linguistics 271: 1–27.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, Wonbin, and Sungeun Cho. 2003. “Argument
Scrambling and Object Shift.” Studies in Generative
Grammar 131: 39–59.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Lee, Young-Suk. 1993. “Scrambling
as Case-driven Obligatory Movement.” Ph.D
dissertation. University of Pennsylvania.
Miyagawa, Shigeru, and Koji Arikawa. 2007. “Locality
in Syntax and Floated Quantifiers.” Linguistic
Inquiry 38 (4): 645–670. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Park, Chongwon, and Jaehoon Yeon. 2022. “Why
Quantifiers Float: A Response to Kim
(2013).” Lingua 2771: 103403. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
. 2023. “Information
Structure in Korean: What’s New and What’s Old.” Journal of
Pragmatics [Published online]. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Park, Chulwoo. 2007. “kwuke pwunli kwusenguy hyengsikkwa kinung [The Form and
Function of Dislocation Donstructions in Korean].” Eoneohag: Journal of the Linguistics Society
of Korea 491: 203–225.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Park, Myung-Kwan, and Keun-Won Sohn. 1993. “Floating
Quantifiers, Scrambling, and the ECP.” In Japanese/Korean
Linguistics, vol 31. ed. by Soonja Choi, 187–203. Stanford, CA: CSLI Publications.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Schegloff, Emanuel. 1996. “Turn
Organization: One Intersection of Grammar and
Interaction.” In Interaction and Grammar, ed.
by Elinor Ochs, Emanuel A. Schegloff, and Sandra A. Thompson, 52–133. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Shimojo, Mitsuaki. 2004. “Quantifier
Float and Information Processing: A Case Study from Japanese.” Journal of
Pragmatics 361: 375–405. ![DOI logo](https://benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Shin, Seo-in. 2007. “hankwukeuy eswun pyeni kyenghyangkwa ku yoiney tayhan yenkwu [A Study on Word Order Variation and its Motivation].” Journal of Korean
Linguistics 501: 213–239.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
. 2009. “eswun pyeni-wa mwuncang uymi haysek [Word Order Variation and
Analyzing Sentence Meaning].” Korean
Semantics 281: 105–125.![Google Scholar](https://benjamins.com/logos/google-scholar.svg)
Son, Gwangrak. 2001. “Scrambling,
Reconstruction, and the Checking Principle.” Ph.D.
dissertation. University of Wisconsin.
Cited by (1)
Cited by one other publication
Park, Chongwon, Jaehoon Yeon & Jong-Bok Kim
2024. Setting subject and the inferential cleft construction in Korean. Review of Cognitive Linguistics ![DOI logo](//benjamins.com/logos/doi-logo.svg)
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 5 july 2024. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.