Problem in the Use of Korean Conditional Connective Endings by Thai Learners

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the problems encountered by Thai learners in the use of Korean conditional connective endings, focusing on syntactic constraints and semantic distinctions. The study examined the difference between the Korean conditional connective endings “-(eu)myeon” and “-geodeun” and the Thai conjunctions “thâa, mée”. The study conducted in terms of syntactic relations and the meaning of the respective conjunctions and endings. The contrastive analysis revealed that the Korean endings “-(eu)myeon” and “-geodeun” are subject to syntactic constraints, whereas Thai conditional conjunctions do not exhibit such restrictions. In addition, the Thai word “mée” can be used not only to express conditional meaning but also to convey other semantic meanings, while “-(eu)myeon” and “-geodeun” are limited to conditional usage only. The error analysis of Thai learners’ use of Korean conditional connective endings showed the following errors: (1) Thai learners tend to use only conditional endings with fewer syntactic restrictions, and such usage did not correspond to their language proficiency levels. (2) incorrect use of the connective ending “-(eu)myeon”. (3) incorrect spelling of the connective ending “-(eu)myeon”. (4) use of “-(eu)myeon” in place of “-ado”. These errors were caused by differences in syntactic structure and confusion in distinguishing the meanings of the Thai conjunctions “thâa” and “mée.”