The Korean I-suffix: A functional approach

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dc.contributor.advisorDavis, Philip W.en_US
dc.creatorBaek, Mihyunen_US
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T08:03:11Zen_US
dc.date.available2009-06-04T08:03:11Zen_US
dc.date.issued1997en_US
dc.description.abstractThis dissertation treats a problem presented by Korean syntax. The suffix $\{-i\},$ realized variously as -i, -hi, -li, -ki, may be used to express (among others) prototypical passives, middle voice, and causatives. I attempt to provide an answer to the question "How are these uses related?' The semantic/conceptual configuration of an event is projected as an asymmetrical relation between the sentence initial and sentence middle positions. Sentence initial position is assigned a special semantic property, which I call EMPOWEREDNESS. The requirements of EMPOWEREDNESS can be met by a less than optimal participant (i.e., creating a mismatch between the semantics of the position and its filler) as long as the I-suffix is present on the verb. The I-suffix reduces the EMPOWEREDNESS of the sentence-initial position. This reduction alters the relation between sentence initial position and the participant filler and may achieve either 'passive' or 'causative' effects. The so-called 'passive' emerges as a cluster of related constructions, which signify the reduced EMPOWEREDNESS of the sentence initial position. In 'causative' constructions, I-suffix projects decreased EMPOWEREDNESS to sentence initial position by removing some semantic portion from the sentence initial position, transferring it to the second position. Thus, the semantic character of the event--the role properties it projects upon the sentence initial participant--provides the matrix for the I-suffix. The effect of the I-suffix varies widely in different events, even while the suffix accomplishes a common function across all these environments.en_US
dc.format.extent244 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS LING. 1997 BAEKen_US
dc.identifier.citationBaek, Mihyun. "The Korean I-suffix: A functional approach." (1997) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/19131">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/19131</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/19131en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectLinguisticsen_US
dc.subjectModern languageen_US
dc.titleThe Korean I-suffix: A functional approachen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentLinguisticsen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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