Pitch Accent Patterns, Forms, and Meanings of ‘no=da’ Sentences in the Japanese Kohoku Dialect

Abstract

This paper aims to describe two accent pattern alternations observed in the Keihan-type accent of the Japanese Kohoku dialect spoken in Shiga prefecture, and to clarify their forms and meanings. This dialect has two varieties of the ‘no=da’ structure for nominal predicates; one is the unmarked ‘=N=ya’ that maintains pitch patterns of predicate sentences, and the other is the marked ‘=N (=ya)’ that cancels pitch patterns, removing the accent. The unmarked form can be used in any situation where ‘no=da’ would be used in standard Japanese, whereas the marked form only appears in cases where the speaker has prior knowledge of the topic and intends to explain or confirm that knowledge with the hearer. The alternation patterns of the ‘no=da’ structure in declarative sentences corresponds with previous studies such as Inoue (2006a), which explain that different dialect varieties distinguish two different meanings of ‘no=da’ in standard Japanese. They also support the argument that such patterns can be considered grammaticalization in Japanese dialects, and suggest that they can be applied in interrogative sentences. In this dialect, differentiation occurs through accent alternations, and meaning is related to modality. Taking these into account, this paper argues that pitch patterns are important factors that should be considered in relation to grammaticalization and modality in Japanese dialects.