THE CODE OF POLITENESS WITHIN THE KOREAN FAMILY

Abstract

The article analyzes the concept of linguistic politeness within the Korean family as a reflection of Confucian values and social hierarchy. It provides a detailed description of address forms used for parents, grandparents, siblings, spouses, as well as in‑laws. Special attention is given to grammatical and lexical markers of respect (honorifics, the suffix -nim, special verb forms), age hierarchy among siblings, and gender aspects of address. The article also traces modern trends in the evolution of family etiquette: the shift from the traditional extended family to the nuclear family, the rise of egalitarianism in spousal communication, and the softening of strict patriarchal norms. The material will be useful for linguists, cultural studies scholars, Korean language teachers, and anyone interested in Korean culture