Abstract

This research aimed to determine how Japanese learners of Korean can be supported in acquiring knowledge of Korean honorifics and developing the ability to use them in an appropriate manner. First, the study confirmed the importance of honorific use in the Korean language and closely examined the characteristics of and specific usage differences between Japanese and Korean honorifics. Then, it focused on the results of the error analysis of Japanese learners’ use of Korean honorifics by categorizing Korean subject honorifics into the following four categories: fundamental honorific form, specialized declinable word honorific form, specialized indeclinable word honorific form, and specialized particle honorific form. Tasks 1 and 2 were used to analyze examples of common errors made by learners, and through this feedback, case studies and instruction plans were investigated. Findings revealed that Japanese learners’ errors in the usage of Korean honorifics stem from interference from their native language in addition to a lack of understanding of how to conjugate honorifics, inappropriate honorific vocabulary selection, and confused usage of newly learned vocabulary and grammar. Furthermore, the overuse of the term 「-(으)시」 without considering the relationship between the subject and the predicate was observed. This is thought to have occurred due to the automatization of the rote learning of honorifics in which learners equate 「-(으)시」 with respect as well as a heuristic phenomenon whereby they try to produce quick results based on intuitive guessing. The findings of this research will provide an insight into Japanese learners’ learning of Korean honorifics, minimize learner stress, and aid those considering how to design more efficient lessons targeting the teaching of Korean honorifics.

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