A cognitive linguistic study on the conditions for S-insertion in Korean

This study explores the conditions under which S-insertion occurs in Korean compound words using cognitive linguistic frameworks. The study integrates iconicity principles and the Efficiency/ Expressiveness Balance Model to provide a comprehensive explanation of S-insertion. The findings suggest that S-insertion occurs not only due to phonological or semantic factors but also as a cognitive adaptation to reduce ambiguity and enhance expressiveness. Additionally, the research highlights how variations in the probability of S-insertion depend on specific contextual elements, such as the semantic nature of the compound components (e.g., whether they denote locations, animals, or other categories). Statistical analyses and visualized data reveal consistent patterns of continuity and offsetting effects in the interaction between different compound structures. These findings provide a basis for revisiting existing rules and developing more dynamic models to explain irregular phonological phenomena in Korean.