If I received a research grant to study the Korean language and culture, I would focus on how politeness and hierarchy shape communication in modern Korea. I am fascinated by how grammar reflects social structure—how honorific endings, speech levels, and word choice communicate respect, intimacy, or authority.
To begin, I would conduct interviews and record conversations in different social contexts: workplaces, classrooms, and family settings. I’d analyze the use of honorific markers such as -(으)시- and speech levels like 해요체 or 합쇼체, examining how speakers shift between them depending on social relationships.
Structurally, my research would draw from morphology (verb conjugation), syntax (sentence order and clause connection), and pragmatics (contextual meaning). I’d also investigate generational differences—how younger Koreans adapt traditional politeness to digital communication, such as texting or social media.
This study would deepen the understanding of how linguistic form mirrors cultural values. Beyond linguistic analysis, I’d hope my research contributes to cross-cultural empathy—helping learners like me grasp not just how Korean is spoken, but why it is spoken that way. Language, after all, reflects both thought and society, and studying it offers insight into the evolving human experience.
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