The Semantic Extension of the Korean Conjunctive Ender Taka, from the Perspective of Grammaticalization

Abstract

This study discusses the semantic extension of the Korean conjunctive ender taka from the perspective of grammaticalization. Based on the assumption that taka originated from the verb taku-ta/tak-ta ‘to approach a certain object or direction’ (Choi, 1994; Kim, 1975; Lee, 1996), the study provides a synchronic analysis of the current semantic attributes of the conjunctive ender taka in various contexts. Diverse meanings of taka have been documented in previous studies. This study shows that these meanings all developed through semantic extension as the form’s subjectivity increased over time, and therefore are not separate but connected. Investigating naturally occurring written and spoken data of Present Day Korean from a web-based corpus system, the study finds that the conjunctive ender taka is used as a temporal marker, a causal marker, a conditional marker, and a concessive marker.