Changes in the Function of Kakarimusubi with Zo

Abstract

This study shows that the function of kakarimusubi (focus concord constructions) with zo changed during the first half of the Late Middle Japanese era.

It also identifies the following three changes and characteristics based on a comparison between Early Middle Japanese and Late Middle Japanese:

(i) Zo is less likely to attach to the case elements of time, place, and subject.

(ii) In both periods, zo tended to occur in the preverbal position.

(iii) In Early Middle Japanese, kakarimusubi with zo tends to take a different word order from the basic one. Meanwhile, in Late Middle Japanese, kakarimusubi with zo shows little such tendency.

These changes and characteristics resulted from the modification of the focalization function of zo. In Late Middle Japanese, kakarimusubi with zo was mainly used in two ways:

(i) Zo marks elements that arise in preverbal position in basic word order, expressing focus without recalling an alternative set.

(ii) Zo marks any element in a sentence expressing the focus-recalling alternative set.