Constructionalization of Japanese koto imperatives
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Etsuyo Yuasa
Abstract
This paper examines koto imperatives (e.g., tōku-o mite unten-suru koto! ‘drive looking far ahead!’) in Japanese. With internal reconstruction, it is shown that koto imperatives not only underwent a process of pragmatic strengthening resulting in a new sense of modality, but also inherited the syntactic schema of the prototypical modal (raising-to-subject) construction. Given this new meaning associated with new syntax, it is proposed that koto imperatives are an instance of constructionalization. Given the similarities between koto imperatives and suspended clauses (Ohori, 1995), the current analysis also raises the possibility that constructionalization may take place or may be taking place with other emerging modality expressions in Japanese.
Abstract
This paper examines koto imperatives (e.g., tōku-o mite unten-suru koto! ‘drive looking far ahead!’) in Japanese. With internal reconstruction, it is shown that koto imperatives not only underwent a process of pragmatic strengthening resulting in a new sense of modality, but also inherited the syntactic schema of the prototypical modal (raising-to-subject) construction. Given this new meaning associated with new syntax, it is proposed that koto imperatives are an instance of constructionalization. Given the similarities between koto imperatives and suspended clauses (Ohori, 1995), the current analysis also raises the possibility that constructionalization may take place or may be taking place with other emerging modality expressions in Japanese.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Modality in Diachronic Construction Grammar 1
- Contractions, constructions and constructional change 13
- Exploring relative degrees of auxiliarization empirically in German modal constructions with wissen and verstehen 53
- Grammaticalization of verdienen into an auxiliary marker of deontic modality 81
- The diachrony of Galician certamente and seguramente 123
- Unfolding constructions 149
- Horizontal links within and between paradigms 185
- Constructionalization of Japanese koto imperatives 219
- Index 247
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Modality in Diachronic Construction Grammar 1
- Contractions, constructions and constructional change 13
- Exploring relative degrees of auxiliarization empirically in German modal constructions with wissen and verstehen 53
- Grammaticalization of verdienen into an auxiliary marker of deontic modality 81
- The diachrony of Galician certamente and seguramente 123
- Unfolding constructions 149
- Horizontal links within and between paradigms 185
- Constructionalization of Japanese koto imperatives 219
- Index 247
