Study on the Expanded Use of the Personal Honorific ‘bun(분)’

Ahn Ye-rim, Yang Myung-hee

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the new usages and functions of the personal honorific ‘bun’ in internet communication languages (ICL). To do this, we retrieved all the comments containing the word ‘bun’ that were posted on Twitter throughout the year 2017. The findings of this study are as follows. First, in ICL, ‘bun’ is used not only to represent its original meaning and function; it is also combined with a new form of address that does not carry any personal or honorific connotations. Second, Twitter users use ‘bun’ to refer to any person they are addressing, regardless of social status. Third, ‘bun’ is used in connection with the “fun-seeking”function of ICL. Finally, it is evident that the use of ‘bun’ in ICL has begun to influence everyday language. Wide-ranging studies on changing everyday use of ‘bun’ are needed.

사람 존칭 ‘분’의 사용 확대 연구 : 트위터(Twitter)를 대상으로

안예림, 양명희

중앙대학교

초록

Vol. 40 No. 4 (2022.12)

Journal Abbreviation j. Korea Saf. Manag. Sci.
Frequency Published four times annually in March, June, September, and December
Doi Prefix 10.14353/sjk.
Year of Launching 1993
Publisher The Sociolinguistic Society of Korea

Indexed/Tracked/Covered By