Targets and Generative Background of Negative New Words. Korean Semantics

The purpose of this paper is to examine the targets and generative background of neologisms with negative meanings. First, we divided the objects of negative new words into individuals, groups, and specific behaviors. Negative new words targeting individuals can be divided into those directed at others and those directed at oneself. Negative new words targeting groups appear to criticize them based on region, race, gender, generation, etc. In the case of negative new words targeting a specific action, the public’s negative perception of a certain action is included. All objects of negative new words have clear reasons to be criticized, but they are also subject to criticism even though there is no reason to be criticized. We argued that ‘social networking services’ and ‘social satire’ were the generative backgrounds of negative neologisms. In addition, we argued for intergroup confrontation and self-loathing as the reasons for the creation of negative new words. In other words, With the development of social networking services (SNS), various groups have been formed, self-expression and ridicule regarding social issues within the groups have become more active, and as conflicts and self-loathing between groups have intensified, negative new words have emerged and are being widely used.