The Interactional Functions of the Korean First-Person Pronouns in Reported Thought

Abstract

ABSTRACT Analyzing naturally occurring conversations, this research explores the interactional functions of the shift between two forms of the first-person singular pronouns na “I” and ce “I” in Korean conversation. This research extends the traditional explanations of the use of the Korean first-person pronouns in that na, “I,” is not only used when an addressee's status is equal to or lower than that of the speaker (Nam & Ko, 1993; Sohn, 1999), but also when there is no addressee during certain social action such as in reported thought. This article contributes to the body of research on reported thought by adding the shift of first-person pronouns as one of the initial linguistic cues indicating the shift of current talk to reported thought in Korean conversation.