Multiple subject constructions in Korean

A Functional Explanation

Abstract

This paper investigates the distribution and the nature of the so-called multiple subject constructions in Korean from the perspective of the functional syntax (Kuno (1987)). The major proposal of this paper is that multiple subjectivization is possible only when the first NP of the multiple subjects is characterized by the rest of the clause. I will provide evidence from the analysis of various multiple subject constructions including idiomatic expressions in this language.