Pragmatic features and enregisterment of Daldalhada : A focus on generational variables

Hajeong Yim

Ph.D. Student, School of Liberal Arts, Korea University; 145 Anam-ro, Seoul 02841, South Korea

Abstract

This study analyzes the semantic expansion of the Korean gustatory adjective ‘daldalhada’ from a cognitive linguistic perspective and examines its pragmatic constraints and enregisterment across generations sociopragmatically. A survey of 151 native Korean speakers revealed the following four main findings. First, while individuals in their 20s and 30s lead the daily usage, over 95% of all generations recognize it as a universal term, indicating stable lexical diffusion. Second, 'daldalhada' developed a polysemous semantic network through metaphor and metonymy from its gustatory prototype. Third, pragmatic constraints limit its use in formal discourse and in upward hierarchies. Fourth, despite these constraints, younger demographics actively use it in private discourse to express worldviews that value everyday happiness. Thus, ‘daldalhada’ has settled as an independent register representing the younger generation's identity. These findings provide practical data for revising lexicographical descriptions and developing pedagogical guidelines for Korean language education.

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

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