Explicitness vs. implicitness in communicative behavior:

Examine the following expressions:

A: Cha han can tû-si-ci-yo? ‘How about a cup of tea?’
B: Kwaenchana-yo. ‘It’s O,K,’

Côktanghi/taechung cu-seyo. ‘Give me whatever you feel like appropriate.’

[In a barber shop]

Barber: ôttôhke kkakk-a tûli-lkka-yo? 'How shall I have your hair cut?'
Customer: al-asô hae cu-se-yo. 'Do whatever you think would be the best.'

• Deny positive evaluation (compliment, words of gratitude or apology) for modesty:

  ai, mwô-l-yo. 'Well, what did I do? [I didn't do anything].'

  anii-ye-yo. 'No, it is not.'

  pyôl malssûm-ûl. 'Your words are out of norm/You are saying special words.

  
  

• "No" is not a rejection: You have to reject at least once before you accept it.
  
  
• Context plays an important role. Cf. nunchi 'eye sense [face/mind reading]'
  

  Example from Sohn 1986: 461)

  Dept. Chief: The weather is cold, and I am kind of hungry -nûnte.
  Mr. Kim: How about having a glass of liquor?
  Dept. Chief: It's ok. Don't bother.
  Mr. Kim: You must be hungry. How about going out?
  Dept. Chief: Shall we do so?

  
  
• Yield one's option to the other