A Study on the Discourse Functions and Usage Patterns of Korean ‘-잖아’ and Chinese ‘不(是)X吗’

This paper aims to examine the discourse functions and usage patterns of Korean ‘-잖아’ and Chinese ‘不(是)X吗’ through an analysis of dialogues of TV dramas and entertainment programs. Additionally, it presents a staged education plan for teaching the discourse functions of ‘-잖아’ to Chinese-speaking Korean learners. The analysis revealed that ‘-잖아’ exhibits nine discourse functions, including arousing the topic, seeking sympathy, presentation of new information, explanation, introduction and development of topics, suggestion, assumption, discovery, and affirmance. ‘不(是)X吗’ showed a total of six discourse functions, including arousing the topic, seeking sympathy, presentation of new information, explanation, discovery, and affirmance. Based on these findings, a three-stage education plan is proposed for teaching the discourse functions of ‘-잖아’ for Chinese-speaking learners. (Yeungnam Univ.)