THE TRANSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF SUNJA’S CHARACTER IN PACHINKO

Abstract

Transitivity is a multipurpose strategy that is being utilized not only by linguists and literary critics in their works but also by the average human beings to make their motives prominent and reflect them through the language in their daily lives. Nevertheless, various users achieve transitivity variedly. The present study aims to explore how experiential meanings of the main character are constructed via transitivity system through the specific linguistic choices in Min Jin Lee’s novel Pachinko. For the application of the theory, the researchers decide to employ UAM Corpus Tool 6.2 (Donnell, 2008) to highlight the recurrent transitivity processes quantitatively in the novel. The processes derived are then examined qualitatively to fulfil the objectives of study under consideration. Therefore, the given research is endeavored as a work of mix-method strategy. The present study further analyses the happenings, doings, feelings, emotions, sentiments, thought processes, and personal traits of the female protagonist as she functions in the society on everyday basis. Pedagogically, it also attempts to explore the relationship between linguistic structures and socially constructed meaning in a literary text to highlight the aesthetic and universal importance of the events, which may be proved helpful in the everyday life of the readers and students.