Particle 은/는 is not just a topic particle. This particle actually has three effects and “topic marking” is but one effect. Korean learners need to understand all of 은/는s effects in order to properly conceptualise it. Trying to define 은/는 as a topic marker has led to a lot of confusion because 은/는 is used for “non-topic marking” purposes and topics aren’t always marked with 은/는. So then what is 은/는?

In this video I will provide an overview of its three effects and then explain how they relate to each other. We will see how “topic marking” is theorised to be a derived effect from some ultimate function. That is, 은/는 is used by speakers to impose salience.