This study attempts to analyze the honorific system in Middle Age Korean through a sociolinguistic approach. Although this area has been researched from many viewpoints so that mentioning the status or necessity of the honorary hierarchy in Korean is unnecessary, it is not an exaggeration to state that there has not been any previous research to explain it from a sociolinguistic perspective. The reason is that it is difficult to explain the speaking environment and the relationship to listeners dearly because the language data in the fifteenth century exist in the form of literature. Considering the aspects of use or characteristics of the honor hierarchy, in roost cases a sociolinguistic perspective is necessary and should be applied to Middle Age Korean. This study defines the honorific system in Middle Age Korean as an 'absolute honor hierarchy' as opposed to a 'relative honor hierarchy' and aims to show the reason why there was a 'language step change' at that time. Furthermore, the importance of the 'solidarity' relationship in the real situation of society where the principle of 'power' dominated was explored.

Abstract 
Ⅰ. 머리말 
Ⅱ. 중세국어 존대법의 사회언어학적 검토 
Ⅲ. 맺음말 
참고문헌

• 양영희(전남대학교)