The purpose of this research is to examine the argument of ‘non-predicate noun’. In addition, the aim is to classify the non-predicate nouns depending on each type and to show how the argument occurs in each category. The value of this research li...
The purpose of this research is to examine the argument of ‘non-predicate noun’. In addition, the aim is to classify the non-predicate nouns depending on each type and to show how the argument occurs in each category. The value of this research lies within the fact that the research focuses on much neglected non-predicate nouns, which have close relationship with predicate nouns but don't get much attention as them. The summary of the main content is as follows.
In chapter 2, predicate nouns and non-predicate nouns are discussed. First, issues around various terms which describe predicate nouns are discussed. There have been many terms but currently, ‘predicate noun’ and ‘predicative noun’ prevail. ‘Predicate noun’ seems more suitable and so this term is used in this research. And the corresponding term, ‘non-predicate noun’ is defined as, ‘A noun that has no aspectual character but it either has or don't have an argument structure’. Next, the criteria of classification of the predicate noun and non-predicate noun are examined. The criteria for the classification of predicate noun is based on its property which is [±argument structure], [±aspectual]. [+argument structure, +aspectual] noun, [-argument structure, +aspectual] noun are classified as predicate noun and [+argument structure, -aspectual] noun, [-argument structure, -aspectual] noun are classified as non-predicate noun. Objectivity can be achieved by setting up ‘detailed rules of noun classification’ for the consistency of classification and also referring to the ‘noun semantic class system’ from Sejong Dictionary that accommodates ‘classes d′objet theory’ with criticism.
In chapter 3, an attempt is given to redefine the argument of non-predicate noun and theta-roles before discussing the argument of non-predicate noun in depth. The argument of non-predicate noun is defined as: an essential element required, firstly, to express semantic head and secondly, syntactic head. Ontological consideration is given in order to differentiate the argument of non-predicate noun. The theta-roles of the argument of non-predicate noun are restructured as, ‘subject’, ‘target’, ‘content’, ‘location’, and ‘purpose’.
In chapter 4, argument of non-predicate nouns is analyzed and then classified depending on its unique type. The first criterion used to classify the argument is the number of the argument, and second is the semantic quality. The ‘noun semantic class system’ of Sejong dictionary is followed in the classification based on the semantic quality.
It is divided in to four categories, a valency of 0, a valency of 1, a valency of 2 and a valency of 3, then it is subdivided into concrete, collective, place and abstract nouns. Examples of a valency of 0 which has no argument are, ‘sun, moon, world, government, park, sea, road, spring etc.’ Examples of a valency of 1 that has one argument are, ‘father, skin, family, surrounding, personality etc.’ Example of a valency of 2 are, ‘photo, space, policy, responsibility etc.’ And lastly the examples of a valency of 3 are, ‘writing, news and letter’.
This research selects 1000 items as the base data from the ‘Modern Korean Usage Frequency Survey 2(2005)’ published by the National Institute of Korean Language. Therefore the research is closely related to the real life. Furthermore, this research is one step ahead of the previous research because it deals with a valency of 0 and a valency of 3 compared to the previous research that largely discusses only a valency of 1 and a valency of 2.