A Corpus-Based Study of Connectors in Editorials of Korean and American English Newspapers

Abstract

This paper compares and analyzes the use of connectors, linking adverbials (LAs--therefore, however, instead) and coordinating conjunctions (CCs--and, but, or) in the editorials of Korean and American English newspapers. The purpose of the research was to see whether there are any significant differences in their use of connectors with regard to their semantic categories and their two formal types. The analyses have shown that LAs are more prevalent in K(orean)-corpora (61.7%/38.5%), while CCs are used more often (38.5%/61.5%) in A(merican)-corpora. The position-wise analyses have also shown that K-writers seem to prefer additive LAs such as also, which functions as a reinforcing linker, unlike A-writers who use and far more frequently. Furthermore, K-writers are shown to choose a relatively higher ratio of however, an emphatic adverb, and a lower ratio of but. This study claims that K-writers` such preference for expressions of emphasis and certainty is a case of L1 transfer of stylistics (or rhetoric) into English writing, and that it originates ultimately from the Korean culture of medial power distance. Its educational implications include that English connectors should be taught along with their stylistic imports, and that a curriculum-integrative instruction is needed which involves Korean and English teachers.