Semantic interpretation of constructions relating to causation and ontology of objects: A contrastive study of Japanese and German

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12999
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 02060:Linguistics-related
• Research Institution: Mie University (2022-2023); Tohoku University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Takahashi Miho 三重大学, 人文学部, 准教授 (40787610)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ドイツ語 / 日本語 / 使役 / 構文的意味 / 語彙的意味

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project delves into the intricacies of voice alternations in languages, focusing on Japanese and German constructions related to causation. In line with this objective, the study investigated the mechanisms of semantic interpretation, concentrating on constructions in both German and Japanese that exhibit semantic ambiguity, allowing for interpretations of either cause or adversity. By examining how the lexical meaning of verbs influences the emergence of inherent and peripheral meanings within these constructions, the study reveals a shared semantic basis for valence expansion across both languages.

Free Research Field

言語学、ドイツ語学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

事態の引き起こし手である「使役主」がどのように符号化され、また読み込まれるかという対照言語学的・類型論的観点から取り上げられる問題について、ドイツ語と日本語の使役に関わる諸構文を例に、構文の意味解釈に対する動詞の語彙的意味の作用および動詞の意味論に基づく語用論的推論の働きの一端を明らかにした。日独語の態の交替現象について、個体と事象との間の広義の所有関係（人による「事象の所有」）というアプローチが妥当することを示した。