Kim, Deok-ho. 2017. “A Study on the Analysis of the Changing Process of Dialect Distribution with a focus on Methodology of Geolinguistics”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 1~26. The purpose of this study is to analyze the process of changing the distribution of dialects through a geolinguistic approaches. Traditional studies in dialectology were generally aimed at describing the geographically distributed variation of language. However, with traditional approach, it would be difficult to analyze the complex reason for the changes in dialectal distributions. Since the geographical factor is not the only reason for language change, it is necessary to consider more factors in examining language maintenance and change. To investigate the distribution of dialects and explore its changes, the primary work involves thorough field surveys, and the next step is to draw a language map with well-organized dialect data. The present study employs a field survey method and draws a language map based on the field survey results. The purpose of this paper is to propose geolinguistic methodologies for analyzing the change in the distribution of dialects that can be confirmed on a language map constructed on such a basis. Geolinguistics analysis methods are as follows: 1) analysis by non-verbal conditions, 2) real time analysis, 3) measurement of innovation wave spreading speed, 4) surrounding-zones dialect theory, 5) principles of adjacent distribution and around distribution, and 6) S-curve theoretical analysis.
Noh, Hyung-nam. 2017. “Entertainment Science Based on Deep Learning: focused on Areal Sociolinguistics”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 27~52. The aim of this paper is to suggest a new scientific discipline in sociolinguistic research, dealing with entertainment science based on deep learning focused on areal sociolinguistics as a current methodology de facto made by ultra-fusion of area studies and sociolinguistics. From a fact-oriented and data-oriented analysis perspective this paper examines real phenomena of areal sociolinguistics provoked by two famous sing-a-song writers: America’s Robert Allen Zimmerman, so-called 2016 Nobel prize winner Bob Dylan, and Brazil’s Paulo Coelho de Souza. The results of the qualitative analyses between two eminent areas, where particular attributes of alternative societies are filled with swarm intelligence on the basis of resistance consciousness, suggest the areal sociolinguistics mentioned-above. From the diachronic and synchronic viewpoints of cross-over geographical cultures this paper makes a mid-range generalization, on making a definition about alternative societies in America and Brazil in spite of the geographical methodology of area studies between the two countries, being offered by stubborn resistance against ready-made ideas to calm down keen psychological conflicts among established moral principles to overcome philosophical catastrophe in social chaos, and full of competitive instinct against existing generations.
Moon, Hyun-Hee. 2017. “Changes of English Company Names in KOSPI: From the 1940s to the Mid-2010s”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 53~83. This study aimed at investigating to what extent, in what ways, and for what purposes English has been used in Korean company names from the 1940s to the mid-2010s. Of those registered in KOSPI (the Korea Composite Stock Price Index) in July 2014, 165 companies with English names were chosen for the study. In order to grasp longitudinal trends, the linguistic composition of original names and subsequent name-changes were analyzed. The results demonstrate that Korean was the dominant language of company names between the 1940s and the 1970s, while English gained popularity in the 1980s and since then, consolidated its position as the most attractive lexical source. A Single word was the first form applied to English names, followed by a compound and an acronym. Since the 1990s, more complex forms combining clipping and blending have been widely employed, diversifying word formation types. Parts of speech, once limited to nouns, adjectives, and verbs, have later broadened to include articles, prepositions, and conjunctions. The major reason for the influx of English names is the positive images of English which connect them with being modern, global, progressive, future-oriented, and high-tech. The study shows that Korean companies have also discovered a new linguistic advantage of English, which has permitted them to incorporate diverse meanings into their names, and this has played an important role in strengthening the position of English.
Shim, Jae Hyung. 2017. “The Relationship between a Linguistic Landscape and a Floating Population: The Case of the Greater Anyang Region”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 85~117. The purpose of this paper is to look at a relationship between urban planning in Korean cities and linguistic landscapes. The study attempts to see the effect of urban development on the rate of English use in the public sphere, and how different sizes of a floating population affect such differences. In doing so, the Greater Anyang Region, located south of Seoul, was selected as the site for the current study. This area is comprised of three cities (Anyang, Gunpo, Uiwang) with a number of business districts including the old downtown and new centers of each city, creating a clear difference in landscape between each area. The study observed the linguistic landscape around subway stations in this region. By observing the rate of English use on commercial signs in these commercial districts, it was found that there is a parallel line between the size of a floating population and the percentage of English in the public sphere. In addition, different rates of English use in different areas reflect a decline of old downtowns, while showing the higher economic status of newer commercial districts. Such phenomena provide an instance of a close relationship between the use of English and a floating population, since the busier business districts appear to have more use of English.
Yang, Myung-hee & Kim, Bo-hyeon. 2017. “A Study on Korean Language Anxiety in the Classrooms of Advanced-level Korean Language Learners for Academic purposes: With Chinese Students in Graduate School in Korea”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 119~141. The aim of this study is to examine the level of and the factors for Korean language anxiety in the classrooms of advanced-level Korean language learners for academic purposes. To this end, 60 Chinese students attending graduate school participated in the survey with the questionnaires: i.e., PRCA and FLCAS. The results suggest as follows. First, the Korean language anxiety level in the classrooms of the Chinese students is likely to be high. Also, it is not because of the participants’ traits, but because of the classroom environment. Second, there are 5 factors for Korean language anxiety in the classrooms; communication anxiety with native speakers, communication anxiety, fears of negative evaluation and failing in class, Korean proficiency anxiety, and negative attitudes toward class. Especially, the forth factor suggests that Korean learners needs an educational intervention of Korean, even after they enter undergraduate or graduate institutions. Third, there is a negative correlation between Korean language anxiety in the classroom and a residence period in Korea. That is, it is necessary to give them as many opportunities as possible for being exposed to Korean by a Korean educational intervention.
Okamura, Kana. 2017. “Korean Native Speakers’ Perception of and Responses to Interrogative Greetings”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 143~165. This research examines (1) if native speakers of Korean perceive phrases such as “어디 가 (Where are you going)?” and “밥 먹었어 (Have you eaten)?” as questions or as greetings, and (2) how speakers respond to these phrases. Various expressions are used as greetings in Korean, but interrogative greetings in particular are considered to be widely favored because they express personal interest in the interlocutor. Previous studies claim that because the phrases function more as greetings than questions, it is enough to respond with a general answer rather than an honest or detailed answer. To verify this claim, a questionnaire was distributed to 144 native Korean speakers in their 20s. The degree of intimacy between the speakers and the circumstances of the interaction were used to investigate the perception of and responses to interrogative greetings. The statistical analysis of the questionnaire results found that while the phrases do function as greetings, they still retain their interrogative function, and as such, many native speakers give honest answers such as “응, 먹었어 (Yes, I ate).” Additionally, interlocutor intimacy and situation did indeed influence how the phrases are perceived and answered.
Lee, Jee Won. 2017. “The Use and Discourse-Pragmatic Function of wo buzhidao in Naturally Occurring Mandarin Chinese Conversation”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 167~192. This study investigates several aspects of Chinese (wo) buzhidao using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including its distributional properties and discourse-pragmatic functions in conversational contexts. This study has found that (wo) buzhidao occurs in conversational environments other than in reply to information questions and carries more interactive and social implications than had been previously proposed by previous studies. First, (wo) buzhidao marks the speaker’s uncertainty and concerns about the truth of the proposition expressed. Second, (wo) buzhidao constructs the speaker’s neutral position by disattending opinions, assessments, or troubles. Third, (wo) buzhidao avoids an explicit disagreement. The use of (wo) buzhidao as a stance marker allows the speaker to convey his/her consideration for the hearer’s face, and it can help to achieve a range of interactional goals. Native speakers of Mandarin Chinese employ (wo) buzhidao in conjunction with other interactive strategies to organize their speech via their recipient enabling mutual intersubjectivity.
Chang, Sunmee. 2017. “The Study of Repetition in an English Immersion Camp Classroom”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 193~212. This study was conducted in a classroom of an English immersion camp for elementary school students. It investigated what patterns and functions of repetition were found and how they were interpreted in terms of facilitating foreign language learning during the interaction between a teacher and students. Data was analyzed according to an analytical framework inspired by many previous research studies. The results showed that most of the repetitions were done by the teacher and that they showed various features with impressive functions. Even though the number of students’ repetitions were not as many as that of the teacher's , their functions were not insignificant at all. This study gives us a chance to look at interactive features of repetition, apart from their behaviorist nature.
Jo, Jinsu & Park, Jae-hyun. 2017. “Educational Direction by User Perception Type for Military Slangs and Unfamiliar Sino-Korean Words”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 213~238. The purpose of this study is to suggest an educational direction about military slangs and unfamiliar Sino-Korean words used in the military considering the need for refinement and acceptability of the language users. To this end, military personnel, the users of the military language, have been surveyed to examine their use and views of the military language, principally military slangs and unfamiliar Sino-Korean words. Focus-group interviews have also been performed to make an in-depth analysis on their language practice. According to the survey results, the perceived need for refinement is high but acceptability is remarkably lower than the perceived need for refinement. While respondents agree that the suggested terms need to be refined, they think that the purified words or alternative terms are unlikely to be accepted by the men in the military. Compared to military slangs, unfamiliar Sino-Korean words are, in general, regarded in more need of improvement, which is also more likely to be accepted. The result also implies that the following should be considered in establishing an education method; whether the substitute words have the same meaning as the original words, in what context the words are used, and how the substitute words are formed. In conclusion, this study suggested education method about military slangs and unfamiliar Sino-Korean words used in the military based on the refinement needs and user acceptability.
Choi, Jin-sook. 2017. “A Study on Attitudes toward English among Chinese Students”. The Sociolinguistic Journal of Korea 25(1). 239~262. This study sets out to investigate the Chinese students' attitudes toward English and how their attitudes towards English are different as to the level of their Korean skills. For this study, 68 Chinese students participated in the questionnaire survey and 6 students with high level of Korean were interviewed as a group by the researcher. The result of the quantitative study indicates that the participants' attitudes toward English were generally positive. When the level of self-perceived Korean skills was applied to their attitudes towards English as a variable, the participants who had a high level of self-perceived Korean skills produced higher interest in learning English and more favorable attitudes towards English speakers than those who had a low level of self-perceived Korean skills. And the Pearson’s correlation analysis confirmed the relationship between these two factors: self-perceived Korean skills and attitudes toward English. The result of the focus group interview also supported the quantitative study: the participants who had a high level of Korean favored English and they were interested in English. Therefore, this study suggests that English learning could be applied only for the Chinese students who have a high level of Korean skills for the effectiveness of their studying in Korea.