Kang Hui-suk. 2012. A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Fetus Naming and Its Diffusion. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 20(2). pp. 33-61 . This study attempted a socilinguistic analysis on the fetus naming and its diffusion as a new custom. The subjects of the study were 248 first-graders of elementary schools, 175 young children from nurseries and 423 parents who are living in Gwangju and Damyang in Jeonnam. The results are summarized as follows: First of all, the types of fetus naming and naming principles were analysed and it was discovered that most of fetus names were Korean, not Chinese, such as bokdeongi, teunteuni or ttolttori while real names were usually Chinese. Real names were made by parents or name experts in consideration of Saju or meanings of names after babies were born. However, fetus names were given by their parents in the early or middle periods of pregnancy. As a result of examining how many children had fetus names in each class, it was discovered that 43.5% of the first graders had fetus names and 76.9% of young children in nurseries had them. It shows that the custom of fetus naming is expanding very fast and such expansion was found both in urban and rural areas. When motives to give fetus names were analysed, it was discovered that parents intended to talk to their babies calling their names every day, thinking the fetus are lives with personality. They believed that when names are called frequently, the meanings of the names can be achieved. 66.5% responded that fetus names are necessary. Also, parents felt babies exist through fetus names. The names weremeans of conversation and worked to enhance friendliness and rapport between parents and their babies. The names gave helps to prenatal care as well as delivered what parents expect to the babies, enhanced rapport between parents and babies, removed anxiety of pregnancy and added happiness to their life.

• 강희숙(조선대학교)