On Kim(2022), A study on functional change of {-sʌp-}

This article presents a critical review of Kim Tae-woo's (2022) monograph, A study on the functional change of {-sʌp-}, a revised publication of his 2018 doctoral dissertation. Kim's work challenges the prevailing scholarly consensus regarding the diachronic evolution of the Middle Korean humbleness marker {-sʌp-}. Departing from conventional analyses, Kim posits a novel hypothesis, substantiated by textual evidence, and further corroborated through the application of linguistic change theories and cross-linguistic data. Of particular significance is Kim's insightful observation that the initial stage of {-sʌp-}'s functional shift from object-oriented humbleness to listener-oriented politeness manifests as a marker of humbleness of the speaker’s action, which is also the subject’s action, within clause-conjoining contexts. This development is attributed to a process of expressive diversion, a compelling theoretical framework that offers a plausible explanation for this previously undocumented phenomenon. Beyond this central argument, Kim's study provides further noteworthy contributions. He introduces a framework for analyzing interpersonal relationships within texts, employing this to delineate three distinct functions of {-sʌp-}. Additionally, he identifies an suppression of {-sʌp-} according to the listener’s social status. This review critically engages with these key findings, drawing upon existing research, general linguistic theory, and relevant language data to offer a comprehensive evaluation of Kim's contribution to the field.