Can Korean -(n)un mark (contrastive) focus?. (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Ilkyu
• Is Part Of: Language sciences. Volume 56(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 105
• Page End: 117
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: Information structure -- (Contrastive) focus -- (Contrastive) topic -- Relational oldness/newness -- Korean -(n)un; Linguistics -- Periodicals; Language and languages -- Periodicals; Linguistique -- Périodiques; Langage et langues -- Périodiques; Language and languages; Linguistics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.langsci.2016.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0388-0001

Abstract

Abstract: This paper investigates the relation between the grammar and the basic notions of information structure, focusing on Korean - (n)un and (contrastive) focus. It has been claimed that - (n)un marks contrastive focus (CF) in certain contexts. However, no consensus exists on in which context(s) it can mark CF. Moreover, the very claim that - (n)un is used to mark CF itself has been sometimes questioned and refuted. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on this issue by providing a new analysis of the relation between - (n)un and (contrastive) focus. Based on a language- and theory-independent definitions of focus, contrast, and CF, and a detailed investigation of the information structure of the relevant phenomena at issue, the main claim of this paper is that - (n)un marks relationally old information and thus cannot mark (contrastive) focus, which is necessarily relationally new by definition. How it is possible for - (n)un to mark relational givenness will be discussed based on the comparison of its inherent meaning and that of the Korean nominative marker -i/ka. Also, the standard understanding of the notion of relational givenness-newness will be critically examined in the course of unveiling the nature of the relation between - (n)un and (contrastive) focus. Highlights: Korean -(n)un is often claimed to mark contrastive focus (CF). (Contrastive) focus is relationally new by definition. Korean -(n)un cannot mark CF because it marks relationally old/given information. Its marking relationally old/given information is consistent with its inherent function of imposing salience.