Linguistic Characteristics of Domestic National Men's Wear Brand Names

국내 내셔널 남성복 브랜드명의 언어적 특성

  • Rha, Soo-Im (Dept. of Fashion Design, Sangmyung University)
  • 나수임 (상명대학교 패션디자인학과)
  • Received : 2013.10.01
  • Accepted : 2013.12.06
  • Published : 2014.02.28

Abstract

In this study, 70 national brands among men's wear brands were selected to examine linguistic characteristics of domestic national men's wear brand names. Linguistic factors which were used in national men's wear brand names were analyzed to understand their characteristics. Formative and semantic characteristics of each brand name were analyzed on the basis of the results from previous studies. It was found that long words with over four syllables are preferred than short words and single words in the form of noun are frequently used for domestic national men's wear brand names in terms of linguistic formality. English is most widely used in brand names, and European languages such as French, Spanish, and Italian are also used frequently under the influence of the country of origin. Next, the analysis result on the semantic characteristics of domestic national men's wear brand names showed that descriptive brand names are used to convey brand information directly and easily, or freestanding brand names which are absolutely irrelevant and newly coined words are chosen to create a characteristic image. In other words, brand names represent detailed business and product category of men's wear by forming a brand image of men's wear (ex. Man, Homme, Zio), and provide the information about properties and benefits related to the product such as dignity, masterpiece, and luxurious lifestyle to consumers by presenting the concept of the brand.

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