영어 형용사의 등급성 연구

Abstract

On the Gradability of English AdjectivesSung, Chang-SupAdjectives in English can be divided into gradable and non-gradable ones. In this study, we discuss some semantic properties of gradable adjectives which typically can be modified by degree modifiers like very and can occur in the comparative and superlative constructions.First of all, gradable adjectives are relative in nature, and so are vague and indefinite, which makes the interpretation of them highly context dependent. Another property is that gradability is not an absolute criterion but a matter of degree. Long-type adjectives are prototypical, excellent-type adjectives are less typical, and awake-type adjectives are peripheral in gradability. Lastly, most typical gradable adjectives occur as positive/negative pairs, and there are some restrictions in the distribution of them.Classifying adjectives and adjectives with absolute meaning are typically non-gradable, but they can be modified by degree modifiers or can occur in comparative constructions either through meaning expansion or when used qualitatively.Gradability of English adjectives is a matter of degree and it constructs a continuum on which each type of adjective is arranged by the degree of gradability. Furthermore, the gradable/non-gradable distinction and the degree of gradability are determined context-dependently in addition to the lexical meaning of the word itself.