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Characteristics of Negative Expression through “N-ga-nai” in Japanese

  • 日本硏究
  • 2018, (49), pp.25-41
  • DOI : 10.20404/jscau.2018.08.49.25
  • Publisher : The Center for Japanese Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Japanese Language and Literature
  • Received : June 29, 2018
  • Accepted : August 1, 2018
  • Published : August 20, 2018

Kim,Young-Min 1

1가천대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This dissertation seeks to find characteristics of“N-ga-nai”as a negative expression in modern Japanese. In preceding researches, since studies of “N-ga-nai” cover partial observation of its usage, this dissertation aims to find diverse characteristic of “N-ga-nai” as a negative expression. Through systematic examination on “N-ga-nai”, three patterns of “N-ga-nai” and how it function as a negative expression, especially when it comes with adverbs were shown. “N-ga-nai”can be classified in two groups, that one group has independence and another has no independence. This classification is determined by attributes of nouns(N), and also affects relationship between a noun and an adverb, and its interpretation. In relationship with adverbs, the fact that “N-ga-nai”works without hindrance, while other expressions does not match with adverbs, was clarified. The expression “ikkouni”,for example, matches for“N-ga-nai”, while other possibility expressions does not. “sappari, marude, marukkiri”are all on the same line, showing the distinction of “N-ga-nai”.“N-ga-nai”also has general language characteristic as a negative expression functioning as ‘negation of quantity’ and ‘negation of level.’Lastly, in interpretation, the problem of attributive modification related to nouns, and differed interpretation by characteristics of “nai” were examined. In further study, analysis of relationships between adverbs and “N-ga-nai”and its uses would be researched for better understanding and theorizing of “N-ga-nai”.

Citation status

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This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.