The History of the Past-Negative Form in the Kagoshima Dialect

Abstract

“-джатта([-dӡatta])” is observed in Russian manuscripts that reflect the 18^th century Kagoshima dialect; this form indicates past as well as negation. Comparing with the documents since the 19^th century, it is revealed that the past and negative form changed from [-dӡatta] to [-ndӡatta] (or [-nӡatta]). Since the Mid-Edo period, the Kagoshima dialect proceeded toward the division of the past and negative forms. Subsequently, this study suggests that the form is derived from the -de+atta based on the analysis of Cyrillic's phonetic value and Japanese notation.