An integrative study of compound predicates and the head-head merger

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K13104
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 02060:Linguistics-related
• Research Institution: Kogakuin University
• Principal Investigator: Akimoto Takayuki 工学院大学, 教育推進機構, 准教授 (70824845)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 複合述語 / 範疇 / 軽動詞 / 分散形態論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated the mechanisms of Japanese compound word formation using Distributed Morphology and Minimalist Syntax frameworks. Through analyzing compound verbs, adjectives, and adjectival nouns, we developed a unified theory considering the interaction between morphological and syntactic operations. Key findings include: explaining the presence/absence of sequential voicing (rendaku) and "suru" insertion requirements through differences in Spell-Out timing; elucidating the relationship between syntactic and morphological categories; and providing principle-based explanations for Japanese morphosyntactic properties. These results enabled comprehensive understanding of compound formation phenomena previously treated separately, contributing to general linguistic theory. Notably, our new insights into the peculiarities of Japanese lexical categories provide important clues for understanding linguistic universals and diversity.

Free Research Field

言語学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、日本語の複合語形成に関する統一的理論を提示し、形態論と統語論の接点における理論的課題に新たな解決策を示した点にある。書き出しのタイミングによる形態規則の適用条件の解明や、統語的範疇と形態的範疇の不一致という概念の導入は、言語理論の精緻化に貢献した。これらの知見は、日本語のみならず他言語の複合語研究にも応用可能であり、言語の普遍性と多様性の理解を深める重要な理論的基盤となる。また、本研究が明らかにした形態・統語・音韻の相互作用のメカニズムは、人間の言語処理の認知的基盤に関する理解を深め、言語の本質的特性の解明に寄与する。