Grammaticalization of Conditionals in Korean

Abstract

Conditionals have been widely investigated from the various theoretical perspectives. This paper explores the historical change of conditional markers from the perspective of the current grammaticalization theories. Using the translations of four different times of an identical text, Nokeltay, formal changes of the conditional markers and their frequency were counted and compared and sought interpretation of the result a la grammaticalization theories. Especially two representative conditional markers, -myen and -ketun, show specialization and generalization, through which -myen gained primacy in the function of conditionality marking. The functionally relegated -ketun is actively acquiring new discourse functions such as a sentential end marker signaling various semantics according to the speakers discourse strategy. This paper attempts to define how conditionals have long proceeded in the grammaticalization path and how novel functions are being created through communicative interactions.