標準語形の計量的性格と地理的分布パターン

抄録

In this paper, a geographical data matrix of dialectal forms which coincide with Standard Japanese forms was processed to ascertain the relation between their geographical distribution patterns and the dates of their appearance in documents. 80 Standard Japanese forms which are found in the “Linguistic Atlas of Japan” were classified by the centuries of their appearance in documents. Total values of usage for each prefecture were calculated. The resulting maps for four historical eras show that the oldest forms show a wide distribution throughout Japan, and that the newer forms show a small distribution area around Tokyo. The Kansai region where the old capital of Kyoto was situated shows less usage of standard forms.
By referring to Tokugawa (1972), it was maintained that the forms had been produced continuously in the Kansai region in pre-modern ages. The forms, however, were not adopted as Standard Japanese, because the center of Japanese culture moved east to Edo (modern Tokyo). Thus a model of lexical diffusion from cultural centers was presented.
Some other statistical characteristics of lexical nature were also examined, using multi-variate analyses. The time of an item's appearance in documents shows a close relation to its frequency of usage. Hayashi's quantificational theory type 3, cluster analysis and factor analysis showed that forms which are frequently used appear early in literature, and that forms which are rarely used appear later. The logical relation of historical changes in vocabulary was also discussed.