Changes in the Grammar Textbooks after the Middle School Curriculum Revision of 1911

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the changes in the grammar textbooks after the revision of the Middle School Curriculum (Chugakko Kyoju Yomoku) of 1911 (Meiji 44), using the phrase FUTAI (teaching grammar contents in relation to writing or reading) in this curriculum as a key. As a result, the author clarified that (1) Katsuyo Rengo (considering a range of a verb and auxiliary verbs as one unit) was no longer emphasized much and (2) syntax had to appear earlier than other grammar contents. The author concluded that these changes were caused by the following : (1) word orders in Katsuyo Rengo were no longer considered as necessary grammar contents and (2) the revision of the curriculum made it possible to change the position of syntax in textbooks, which was considered effective in defining the parts of speech inductively.