The Grammaticalization Approach to Korean Verbs ancta and seta

Abstract

This study is an attempt to identify differences and similarities in meaning and function of Korean verbs ancta 'sit' and seta 'stand' based on grammaticalization. Ancta and seta are antonymous in basic meaning but synonymous in some context. Ancta and seta both require contact and occupation on a surface level. In schematical approach of the two verbs, Trajectory (TR) is placed on Landmark (LM). But the range of contact of TR on LM and the height salience of TR induce the differences in meaning and function although both constitute the occupation. The Frame-of-Focus Variation (FFV) is the best one of a variety of mechanisms of grammaticalization in order to accommodate their relationship not only opposing but also similar at the same time. Ancta develops into a contempt marker and seta develops into an inchoative marker. It is argued that such divergences in function are attributable to the basic meaning of the verbs: directional rather than static. In contrast, the basic meaning of sit and stand in English is static. Pragmatic inference and subjectification play key roles in meaning negotiation by adjusting the foci of the frame.