Expression of concessive relations in the Korean language

The concession is one kind of logic relations which in the Korean language can be expressed by means of a lot of conjunctive affixes: - 아도 , -（ 으 ） ㄹ망정 , -（ 으 ） ㄹ지언정 , - 더라도 , -（ 으 ） ㄹ지라도 , -（ 으 ） ㄴ들 , - 았자 . A. A. Kholodovich proposes to distinguish two types of concessive relations: real-concessive and conditional-concessive [6, p. 173]. In the first case we mean real-existing state of affairs, prospective state of affairs and an impossible state of affairs are belonging to the second type. In case of real-concessive relations speaker recognizes the maintenance of preceding predicative unit as the real fact already existing actually, or the fact which is carried out at the moment, or the fact in the future, perceived as real （stated in advance like event in real world）. So we can say that speaker has faith in possibilities of realization about events. In a preceding unit conditional-concessive relations assume realization of prospective action （po-tentially possible, but only hypothetically） or impossible action. In other words, speaker thinks the events have no possibilities of realization.

In conditional-concessive meaning concessive conjunctive affixes are similar with conditional as the condition is also expressed there, both prospective and impossible. «The difference between conditional conjunctive affixes from concessive is that conditional conjunctive affixes specify on conditions that are promoting the fulfillment of another action, and the concessive affixes specify on conditions not promoting them» [6, p. 173]. In other words, if the maintenance of the main predicative unit in conditional sentences realizes proceeding from the stated condition, in concessive sentences — despite of the prospective condition:

• (1)    а. 호랑이에게 물리면 당장 병원에 가라 .

If you will be bitten by a tiger, immediately address to the hospital.

• (1)    b. 호랑이에게 물려 가더라도 정신을 잃지 마라 .

Even if you will be bitten by a tiger, do not lose mind.

• (1)    c. 그가 먼저 사과를 하면 용서해 주지 .

If he will ask a pardon first, I shall forgive him.

• (1)    d. 그가 먼저 사과를 해도 용서해 주지 못 해요 .

Even if he will ask a pardon first, I can not forgive him.

Besides, the supposition about any state of affairs comes out in conditional and concessive kinds of relations. However conditional affixes express closed supposition whereas concessive affixes express open supposition [7, p. 120]. The closed supposition is that the surface meaning in preceding unit is supposed. And the open supposition is that both of the surface meaning and implicational meaning in preceding unit are supposed. For example:

• (2)    а. 철수가 오면 떠나겠다 . I shall go, if Cholsoo comes.

• (2)    b. 철수가 와도 떠나겠다 . I shall go, even if Cholsoo comes.

As the condition of departure of the speaker in the example 2а expressed only one condition «if Cholsoo comes», and in the example 2b there are two conditions: «if Cholsoo comes» and «if Cholsoo does not come».

Korean researcher Seo Jeong Soo suggests subdividing conditional-concessive type of relations in two groups regarding the possibility or impossibility of the state of affairs. So propositions of concession in the Korean language can be classified into three groups depending on the degree of reality of their maintenance: 1) the propositions expressing real state of affairs; 2) propositions with potentially possible prospective state of affairs; 3) the propositions expressing impossible, but prospective state of affairs [5, p. 1264]:

• (3)    a. 오늘 날씨가 이렇게 좋아도 나는 일이 바빠서 밖에 못 나간다 .

Though weather is good today, I can not go anywhere because of urgent affairs.

• (3)    b. 내일 날씨가 아무리 좋더라도 일이 바빠서 밖에 못 나간다 .

Though weather will be good tomorrow, I can not go anywhere because of urgent affairs.

• (3)    c. 비록 해가 서쪽에서 뜰지라도 나는 일이 바빠서 밖에 못 나간다 .

Even if the sun will ascend in the West, I can not go anywhere because of urgent affairs.

As we see, characteristic feature of concessive constructions is the effect of accentuation of the maintenance of main predicative unit, especially by representation in the proposition of impossible or prospective state of affairs (1b, 1c). In the meaning of real-concessive relation concessive conjunctive affixes are close to adversative affixes (1а). Let’s compare affix - 아도 in the meaning of real-concessive relation with adversative affixes -( 으 ) 나 and - 지만 :

• (4)    a. 보람이는 집이 ( 가난해도 / 가난하나 / 가난하지만 ) 부끄러워하지

.

Though the family of Poram is poor, she does not ashamed of it.

• (4)    b. * 보람이는 부끄러워하지 ( 않아도 / 않으나 / 않지만 ) 집이 가난하다 .

* Though Poram is not ashamed, her family is poor.

From the example (4а) it is visible, that in the meaning of real concession affixes are interchangeable with each other, but rearrangement of units of the sentence without change of its meaning is impossible (4b) because the sentence is constructed by the principle of submission instead of compositions.

Affix - 아도 also can express actually-adversative meaning in which rearrangement of parts of the sentence does not cause changes of the sentence, but causes only shift of accent:

• (5)    a. 보람이는 얼굴은 ( 예뻐도 / 예쁘나 / 예쁘지만 ) 마음씨가 곱지 않다 .

Poram has a pretty face, but her soul is evil.

• (5)    b. 보람이는 마음씨가 곱지 ( 않아도 / 않으나 / 않지만 ) 얼굴은 예쁘다 . Poram’s soul is evil, but her face is pretty.

• (6)    a. 말로는 탈콤한 소리를 ( 했어도 / 했으나 / 했지만 ) 마음 속으로는 그들을 멸시했다 .

(He) said to them aloud pleasant words, but despised them in the heart (inwardly.)

• (6)    b. 마음 속으로는 그들을 ( 멸시했어도 / 멸시했으나 / 멸시했지만 ) 말로는 탈콤한 소리를 했다 .

He despised them in the heart, but loudly said (them) pleasant words. In the above sentences affixes express adversative meaning: an opposite estimation (5a, 5b), counteractions-restrictions (6a, 6b). Thus the predicate of the preceding unit is arranged by the suffix of past time - 았 - to show that action has already occurred.

One of the adversative affixes - 지만 in some cases can to express concessive meaning (discrepancy to expectations):

• (7)    a. 그분은 남을 많이 도와 주지만 자기를 드러내지 않는다 .

Though he helps others much, he does not show himself off.

• (7)    b. 그분은 자기를 드러내지 않지만 남을 많이 도와 준다 .

Though he does not show himself off, he helps others much.

In this case replacing of the proposition and main predicative unit of the sentence does not involve a change of the whole sentence, but the affix does not simply oppose two states of affairs as in case with adversative affixes, but also emphasizes the property of the main predicative unit.

We can show concessive meaning of the given affix by means of the following example where the meaning of abnormal consequence is expressed: 겨울이 지만 비가 와요 . Winter, but it is raining. The given sentence can be developed as «Winter. It is raining. It was expected, that if it was winter, it had to be snowing». However affix – 지만 in concessive meaning is used seldom enough, and can not be refered to the conjunctive affixes of concession [5, p. 1265].

All concessive affixes of the Korean language can express the above mentioned meanings of real and conditional concession. We will take one of the most common concessive affixes of the Korean language - 아도 :

• (8)    а. 보람이 는 집이 가난해도 부끄러워하지 않는다 .

Though the family of Poram is poor, she does not ashamed of it.

• (8)    b. 비 가 와도 떠나겠다 .

I shall go even if it will be raining.

• (8)    c. 해 가 서쪽에서 떠도 그는 먼저 사과하지 않을 것이다 .

Even if the sun will rise in the West, he would not apologize first.

Affix - 아도 as well as other concessive affixes, is related to the type of variative-subject conjunctive affixes, thus the subject of action is usually modified by the particle of nominative case - 가 /- 이 (8b, 8c). However in the meaning of real concession the subject can be emphasized by the particle - 는 /- 은 (8a).

Given concessive affixes are able to attach to all kinds of predicatives, thus the final predicate also can be expressed by all kinds of predicatives and has no restrictions in modifying. The given position is characteristic for all concessive conjunctive affixes. Expressing prospective or impossible action, affix - 아도 is not combined with the suffix of past time because it means that the action is unreal or hasn’t passed yet. Otherwise the affix gets real-concessive meaning. Besides the given affix can’t be combined with the suffix of future time because the meaning of the prospective condition belongs to the aspect of future time and when it’s used it causes imposing of times. Concerning the affix - 아도 we can say about the concept of hypothetical modality because in the sentences with the given affix not only supposition is expressed, but specified hidden supposition as well (2а, 2b).

One of the concessive affixes - ^^H supposes not only the stated condition, but also any other conditions arising from the latent maintenance the speaker wants to express speaker using this affix. In comparison with affix - 아도 it has a greater degree of hypothesis and expresses, a weak opportunity of realization of the supposed assumption. For example: (9) а. 그가 실수를 했더라도 용서하겠다 . I shall forgive him, even if he has mistaken (Speaker is assured that the subject of action does not made a mistake).

In the meaning of real concession affix - 도라도 always attaches to the stem of the predicative in past time because speaker perceives the given state of affairs as real. Thus affix - 도라도 is usually used for expression of prospective or impossible state of affairs. It has restrictions in modifying the final predicate: usually final predicate is expressed by the forms belonging to the aspect of future time (intention, supposition, obligation, imperatively-desirable forms), therefore cannot be attached to the stem of the predicative complicated by aspect-time suffix of 27

past time. This moment distinguishes it from the affix - 아도 which combines with final predicate in any time and in any mood. Let’s compare:

• (10)    a. 눈이 오더라도 ( 떠나겠다 / 떠나야 한다 / * 떠난다 / * 떠났다 ).

Will leave / it is necessary to leave, even if it will be snowing. * Leaves / * has left, in spite of the fact that it is snowing.

• (10)    b. 눈이 와도 ( 떠나겠다 / 떠나야 한다 / 떠난다 / 떠났다 ).

Will leave / it is necessary to leave, even if it will be snowing. Leaves / has left, in spite of the fact that it is snowing.

Thus, we can draw a conclusion that the given affix possesses a strongly clarified hypothetical modality. Unlike the affix - 아도 which has two plans: «even if there will be snowing» / «even if the snow will not be» affix 더라도 has additional explicit meaning «possibly, that it will be not snowing».

Concessive relations can be expressed by means of analytical forms -( — ) ^г^^ I -( — ) ^г^^^ . Thus the action indicated by them is the real fact or is perceived by speaker as the real fact. And if it is necessary to choose one of two specified actions or conditions, speaker would prefer the maintenance of the proposition, thus the choice is caused by unwillingness of the choice of the maintenance of main predicative unit. Very often in this meaning the affixes are accompanied by modal words such as 비록 «although»:

• (11)    а. 제가 비록 ( 가난할망정 / 가난할지언정 ) 비굴하게 살지는 않겠어요 .

Though I ‘m poor, I shall not live meanly.

• (11)    b. 이 몸이 ( 죽을망정 / 죽을지언정 ) 나라를 팔지는 않겠다 .

I prefer to die, but I shall not sell the country.

Given affixes of concession are inherent of intentional modality in this connection; final predicate is usually expressed by forms of future time. Besides in the meaning of real concession the subject of the proposition is modified by affixes of the nominative case. In that case when there are two subjects in the sentence, opposed to each other, they are modified by the particles - 는 /- 은 : 몸 은 비록 ( 떠날망정 / 떠날지언정 ) 마음만은두고 가요 . Though I’m leaving, I leave my soul here.

As for the combination with aspect-time affixes, affixes -( ^ ) s^^ / -( — ) г^У^ can express the meaning of the real concession to action in the past, hence, can be attached to the stem of the predicates issued by the affix of past time. 남편은 ( 버렸을망정 / 버렸을지언정 ) 아이까지 버릴 수 있을까 ? She has left her husband, but will she dare to leave children?

Given affixes as well as the following affix -( 으 ) ㄹ지라도 are not combined with suffixes of future time, because in their structure there already is an element -( 으 ) ㄹ .

This affix expresses compulsion of realization of the action in the main part of the sentence, despite of the prospective state of affairs specified in a proposition, for example:

• (12)    а. 마음이 답답할지라도 참고 견뎌야 한다 .

Even though the heart is heavy, it is necessary to endure and bear.

• (12)    b. 야단을 맞을지라도 할 말은 해야지요 .

Even if I’m cursed, it is necessary to tell what I wanted.

• (12)    c. 그이는 다시 태어날지라도 이 일을 할 것이다 .

Even if he borns again, he will be engaged in this business.

Debitive modality (a modality of obligation) is typical of the affix -( 으 ) ㄹ지라도 , therefore it is combined only with such final predicates which express obligation or obligatory realization of action in the future. As well as the majority of concessive affixes it can be combined with affixes of past time, expressing the assumption of action in the past: 네가 잘못을 빌었을지라도 나는 용서할 수 없었다 . Even if you beg for pardon, I would not be able to forgive.

The feature of a concessive affix -( ^ ) ^# is that it expresses irrespectivity of action of main predicative unit to the maintenance of a proposition. Thus final predicate always contains denying or a rhetorical question.

• (13)    а. 너와 헤어진들 영원히 헤어질까 ?

Though he has left you, but has he left for ever?

• (13)    b. 호랑이 굴 속에 들어간들 호랑이를 잡을 것 같은가 ?

Are you able to catch a tiger even if you will get into its den?

The given affix is one of other concessive affixes that can not be combined with the suffix of past time and cannot express the supposition of action in the past. In the meaning of real concession the affix supposes any state of affairs in present time (13а).

Concessive affix - 았자 is usually met in the construction - 아 봤자 and has the meaning of uselessness of action or uselessness of attempt of its realization of action in a proposition despite of which it is necessary to recognize the state of affairs described in the main predicative unit of the sentence. For example:

• (14)    а. 아무리 타일렀자 소용없다 .

How hadn’t I persuaded, everything was useless

This affix also possesses a hypothetical modality. The maintenance of the main part of the sentence expresses the real negative fact, therefore the final predicate at the given affix cannot be issued by the forms of an imperative optative because they refer to the aspect of future time.

Thus, depending on whether perceives speaker the maintenance of a proposition as the real or prospective fact, recognizes if it is possible or not different kinds of concessive meanings from real-concessive up to conditional-concessive can be expressed, and last type includes both potentially possible, and impossible assumptions. Besides, the category of modality in the Korean language finds its reflection in the conjunctive affixes. Modal characteristics of affixes allow to fix in parallel their grammatical context, in particular, modifying final predicates by time suffixes and forms of mood.