비어두 위치의 ㄱ 구개음화에 대하여

Abstract

This paper investigates the mechanism of the velar palatalization in Korean, paying attention to that the velar palatalization is considerably rare in the word－internal position. Moreover, it attempts to find the various factors that inhibit the velar palatalization in the word－internal position. The main arguments of this paper are as below:Firstly, the velar palatalization in Korean mainly occurs in the word－initial position, but in some minor cases, it also occurs in the word－internal position. Secondly, the relation between Umlaut and velar palatalization is more complicated than it has been thought. In fact, there are 3 types of words in which both changes might occur. <Type 1> refers to the words in which only Umlaut occurred. <Type 2> means the words in which only velar palatalization occurred. <Type 3> represents the words in which both Umlaut and velar palatalization occurred at the same time. Thirdly, the coexistence of <Type 1> and <Type 2> shows the possibility that the two changes were in the competing relation. Fourthly, the existence of <Type 3> tells us that the constraint which prohibits the sequencing of palatal sounds is violable. Fifthly, the lenition and deletion of /k/ might also impede the velar palatalization in the word－internal position. Sixthly, it is supposed that some perceptual factors might restrict the velar paltalization in the word－internal position as well.