Diachronic Analysis of the Functions of the Japanese -(r)are- Marker
Diachronic Analysis of the Functions of the Japanese -(r)are- Marker

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study is to analyze the functions of the -(r)are- marker from a diachronic perspective. The paper poses a hypothesis that the primary function of -(r)are- is expressing passive voice and aims to illustrate when and under what circumstances the remaining functions had been acquired. For this purpose, an analysis of several examples from sources representative of different periods of the Japanese language spanning from the 8th to mid-19th century was conducted. Also, the previous studies concerning functions of the -(r)are- marker are briefly introduced. There seems to be no universal consensus regarding the development of functions of -(r)are-, with some studies describing adversative as its primary function and others stating that the adversative function had not come into use until the 19th century. The study aims to reevaluate those statements by looking over examples from classical Japanese sources. Instead of describing how the Japanese passive voice has developed, the focus of this study is to provide a diachronic overview of how the -(r)are- marker was used in historical texts and what functions it has carried. This approach allows to treat particular functions together, as the connection between them is evident.

• Details
• Contents