Revisiting World Englishes through tag questions: Linguistic variation in Korean English

• 발행기관: 경희대학교 언어정보연구소
• 저자명: En Hye Lee
• 간행물 정보: 『언어연구』제42권 Special Edition, 233~259쪽, 전체 27쪽
• 주제분류: 인문학 > 언어학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2025.09.30

국문 초록

This paper challengesthe prevailing illusion in South Korea that American Standard English represents theideal model for language learning. It offers a rationale for moving beyond the dominanceof so-called standard English and addressing the anxiety often associated with speakingnon-standard varieties. Grounded in Kachru’s concept of liberation linguistics and histhree concentric circles, the study critiques the hierarchical structure of this model andcalls for a reimagining of the boundaries between the Inner, Outer, and ExpandingCircles in light of evolving linguistic realities. To support this perspective, the studycompares Langendoen’s Walrus-Alligator data on English tag questions withcorresponding data collected from Korean university students. The findings highlightcritical implications for English education policy in South Korea, calling for a shift awayfrom entrenched linguistic hierarchies toward more pluralistic and inclusiveunderstandings of World Englishes.

목차

1. Introduction

2. Theoretical background: World Englishes and liberation linguistics

3. Methodology

4. Analyzing tag questions in Korean and American Englishes

5. Conclusion

References

키워드

Standard English liberation linguistics Walrus-Alligator tag question linguistic realities