Acknowledgements
This book is the fruit of the assistance provided by many individuals. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who have generously supported me throughout my long journey in pursuing my PhD degree.
First and foremost, I offer a prayer of gratitude to God for the knowledge and strength that he has graciously granted me. God has been my constant source of strength and inspiration. Through this research, I aspire to give glory to God and hope to contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom.
I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Stanley E. Porter, my supervisor and mentor. His guidance and unwavering support have been instrumental in shaping my academic journey. He guided my studies with passionate instruction and extensive knowledge, contributing to my academic growth and inspiring me to continually expand the boundaries of my learning. His mentorship has played a pivotal role in my research and overall academic development. The time I have spent under his guidance has been a cherished experience that I will forever hold dear.
In addition, I am grateful to Jonathan M. Watt for providing insightful ideas and feedback on my methodology. I would like to thank Allan Bell and Greg Woolf for their valuable feedback concerning my research.
I want to express my sincere appreciation to the professors at McMaster Divinity College, Christopher D. Land, James D. Dvorak, Francis G.H. Pang, Cynthia Long Westfall, Wendy J. Porter, and Mark J. Boda. Their unwavering support and prayers for my potential have been instrumental in my academic and spiritual growth.
I would like to provide thanks to my colleagues, David Yoon, Matthew Rowley, Zachary Dawson, Ryder Wishart, Dustin Burlet, Esther Cen, Doosuk Kim, Jihoe Kim, Hoojun An, Solomon G. Ayecheluhim, Junghoon Lee, Paul Lee, Daniel Kim. Especially, I would like to express my special gratitude to Hughson T. Ong who introduced me to the field of sociolinguistics when I first embarked on my PhD degree journey. I wish to convey my appreciation to Brendan Youngberg for offering his assistance in the process of proofreading my writing.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my cherished family. First and foremost, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my loving wife, Jinkyoung Lee, who has been my unwavering source of strength and support throughout this journey. Without her boundless wisdom, faith, and endless encouragement, I would not have been able to accomplish this academic journey. I also want to express my profound appreciation to my parents for their financial support and unwavering belief in me. Their sacrifices and dedication enabled me to focus on my education and research, leading to the achievements I have experienced. Without the support and love of my family, none of this would have been possible.
In addition, many people who I could not mention have prayed, encouraged, and assisted me in my research. I would like to express my gratitude to all of these individuals. My accomplishments are a collective result of our shared journey, and I am committed to moving forward toward an even brighter future together.