On Some Unique Complementation Patterns in Korean: The Case of Monologual Question Complements
Issued Date
2026-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
17992591
eISSN
20530692
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105040934613
Journal Title
Theory and Practice in Language Studies
Volume
16
Issue
6
Start Page
2110
End Page
2121
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Theory and Practice in Language Studies Vol.16 No.6 (2026) , 2110-2121
Suggested Citation
Rhee S. On Some Unique Complementation Patterns in Korean: The Case of Monologual Question Complements. Theory and Practice in Language Studies Vol.16 No.6 (2026) , 2110-2121. 2121. doi:10.17507/tpls.1606.30 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/117313
Title
On Some Unique Complementation Patterns in Korean: The Case of Monologual Question Complements
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Author's Affiliation
Corresponding Author(s)
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Abstract
Korean has a large number of quotative constructions that have been grammaticalized into diverse functions in the domains of text and discourse (Koo & Rhee, 2019). Among these is a class of constructions that involve the speaker’s self-quoted monologual questions that serve the role of complement of verbs of locution, cognition, and perception. Even though these verbs are structurally the matrix-clause predicates, the matrix-clause subject typically does not surface, i.e., the matrix clause is subject-less. These complement constructions involving monologual questions (MQCCs) present intriguing features from the grammaticalization perspective. Self-quoted questions characterize a ‘dialogue’ between the speaking self and the thinking/hearing self (cf. Koo & Rhee, 2019, p. 256). This type of feigned interactivity makes a text more dramatic and vivid as compared to the texts that do not employ such rhetorical devices. The functions of MQCCs are not associated with a specific form but rather exist in the configuration of juxtaposed clauses, with contextual effects. Therefore, this grammaticalization involves no formal changes with observable trajectories but functional reinterpretation of existing forms, one resembling grammaticalization as reported in Koo and Rhee (2019). MQCCs not only display unique complementation patterns but also present diverse grammaticalized functions through formal and conceptual extension, including many far removed from their original quotative function.