Grammatical Status of Realization Patterns and Cross-Linguistic Variations: A Competition-Theoretic Approach

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K00688
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02080:English linguistics-related
• Research Institution: Niigata Agro-Food University
• Principal Investigator: Nishimaki Kazuya 新潟食料農業大学, 食料産業学科, 准教授 (10734189)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 具現パターン / (非) 顕在的具現 / 類型論的相違 / 形態部門と統語部門のインターフェイス / 競合理論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is known that grammatical functions and categories can be realized either covertly or overtly. Based on the theoretical framework of Competition Theory, this study aims to show that it is determined for particular languages which option, covert or overt realization, is selected. Competition Theory tells us that morphology and syntax compete for structural realization. As a result, languages are classified into two types. One type comprises languages that prefer to syntactically realize morphosyntactic structures. The other includes those that prefer morphological realization of the same structures. Under Competition Theory, the present study demonstrated that cross-linguistic variations as to which option, covert or overt realization, is selected can be best analyzed as reflecting the fundamental difference between these two language types.

Free Research Field

形態論

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

具現パターンの選択をめぐって言語間に対立が見られることは先行研究において暗に示唆されてきた。しかし、この問題に正面から取り組み、その対立が何に由来するものであるのかという問いに答えようとする試みはなかったと言える。本研究の意義は、競合理論という観点から、その対立に、初めて、原理的説明を与えたという点に求められる。