The Korean Particles -nun/un and -ka/i and Their Japanese Counterparts, with Reference to the Topic-Marking Expression -tte

The Korean Particles -nun/un and -ka/i and Their Japanese Counterparts are similar in some but not all cases. Previous studies have not fully explained why such differences occur. By examining the Japanese topicalizing expression って -tte and understanding its function of indicating “assimilation” and “reinterpretation,” this paper examined the differences between The Korean Particles -nun/un and -ka/i and Their Japanese Counterparts in consideration of the function of って -tte. “Assimilation” indicates that an expression represents a new definition of a sign, for example a question used when one only knows of the pronunciation of a word such as AI: AI って何ですか AI-tte nandesuka ‘What on earth is AI?’. A question asking about an unknown object, これって何ですか Kore-tte nandesuka ‘What on earth is this?’, is also a case of “assimilation.” “Reinterpretation” indicates an expression used to change others’ ideas in an unexpected manner or to redefine our own, such as 田中さんって、ああ見えて東京大学出身なんですよTanaka-san-tte aamiete tokyo-daigaku shusshin nandesuyo ‘Mr. Tanaka is a graduate of the University of Tokyo, although he may not look it’. This paper shows that 가/이 ka/i is used in Korean for assimilation and reinterpretation. This is consistent with current ideas that 가/이 ka/i is used in Korean when talking about something for the first time. This is because “assimilation” involves absorbing something for the first time, while “reinterpretation” involves accepting something as a completely new notion that is being absorbed for the first time.