Discourse features in the Korean communication language: means to reinforce and mitigate illocutionary force of utterance
Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to analyze grammatical means that are used to express illocutionary force in the Korean communication language. T'ongsinŏnŏ (communication language) is defined as a social dialect used by a community of pc, internet and mobile phone users.
This study examines speech acts performed in social networks by Korean native speakers. Significant research work in the field of Korean internet communication language and youth speech has been done by the Korean linguistic I Chŏng¬buk.
However, the issues related to discourse analysis of the newly established sociolect have almost been disregarded. This research is focused on both linguistic and paralinguistic means to reinforce and mitigate illocutionary force of utterances performed in online discourse.
Among the analyzed phenomena are ellipsis and alternation of verb endings, the specific role of punctuation and emoticons. Another means of intensification are emphasized interjections.
Internet language shares many common aspects with spoken language.