Classification and Intensity Assessment of Korean Emotion Expressing Idioms for Human Emotion Recognition

Objective: The aim of the study was to develop a most widely used Korean dictionary of emotion expressing idioms. This is anticipated to assist the development of software technology that recognizes and responds to verbally expressed human emotions. Method: Through rigorous and strategic classification processes, idiomatic expressions included in this dictionary have been rated in terms of nine different emotions (i.e., happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, disgust, interest, boredom, and pain) for meaning and intensity associated with each expression. Result: The Korean dictionary of emotion expression idioms included 427 expressions, with approximately two thirds classified as 'happiness'(n=96), 'sadness'(n=96), and 'anger'(n=90) emotions. Conclusion: The significance of this study primarily rests in the development of a practical language tool that contains Korean idiomatic expressions of emotions, provision of information on meaning and strength, and identification of idioms connoting two or more emotions. Application: Study findings can be utilized in emotion recognition research, particularly in identifying primary and secondary emotions as well as understanding intensity associated with various idioms used in emotion expressions. In clinical settings, information provided from this research may also enhance helping professionals' competence in verbally communicating patients' emotional needs.