Grammaticalization and Borrowing : Postpositions in Japanese Composed from Verbs in ren'yo or -te forms(<Special Issue>Grammaticalization in Japanese)

Abstract

Some postpositions in Japanese include in their composition non-finite ren'yo forms or -te forms of verbs. We can assume that these postpositions are derived from verbs. In the field of grammaticalization, omotte and niyotte, which express cause, have been viewed as examples of grammaticalization from the verbs motsu 'to hold' and yoru 'to approach', respectively. However, based on studies of kanbun kundoku, the traditional reading of Chinese text using Japanese, it can be seen that these postpositions have relations with forms found in kanbun text (text heavily influenced by kanbun kundoku). If they are loan translations from Chinese, a foreign language, borrowed into Japanese through kanbun kundoku, then it is inappropriate to view these postpositions as examples of grammaticalization. Through historical research and analysis distinguishing between kanbun text and wabun, i.e. strictly Japanese, text, we can prove that 1. the several meanings of omotte found in Middle and later Japanese can be seen as borrowings, or extensions from borrowings. On the other hand, mochi(te) marking 'instrument' that we see from the ancient times but was subsequently lost is a true example of grammaticalization from the verb motsu; 2. One of the meanings of the verb yoru, 'be attributed to', which has been argued to be the basis of grammaticalization of niyotte, can not be found in wabun text in Old and Middle Japanese, which invalidates the proposed account. We conclude that when taking Japanese as the target of grammaticalization research, we should strictly distinguish the borrowing situation, in consideration of the complex and important influence Chinese has had on Japanese.