| This study takes a grammaticalization perspective to explore the interface between semantics and syntax in the development of Korean auxiliaries. In doing so, it analyzes both the cognitive and pragmatic forces involved. To account for the change from lexical to grammatical meaning, several semantic mechanisms, i.e., metaphorical extension, semantic reanalysis, and pragmatic inference are introduced. The structural change accompanying semantic/functional change is explained by means of syntactic reanalysis. The interplay between semantic and structural properties in the ordering hierarchy of multiple auxiliaries indicates that the formal organization of grammar is neither accidental nor conventional, but, rather, reflects underlying human cognitive forces. The framework of grammaticalization claims that structural indeterminancy, semantic fuzziness, and interdependence between form and meaning are important aspects of language and this study presents abundant evidence in support of this claim, suggesting why synchronic grammars present so many structural irregularities. |
