Article published in:
Studies in Language
Vol. 42:2 (2018) ► pp. 418–454

The affective construction in Yoron Ryukyuan

| Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
| Okinawa International University

In Yoron Ryukyuan, passives are formed through the verbal suffix ‘-ari’. In this article, we observe that the suffix is used to form a construction distinguished from the standard passives in several respects: (i) attachment of ‘-ari’ to a wide range of predicates, (ii) ‘-ari’ obligatorily coexisting with the clause-linking suffix ‘-ti’, (iii) the case-marking pattern identical to that of active sentences, among other properties. Semantically, this construction expresses that the speaker is affected (typically, in an adversative fashion) by the situation denoted by the ‘-ari’-attached predicate. We call this linguistic unit "Affective Construction" (AC), revealing its unique syntactic and semantic properties. Furthermore, we suggest that the development of ‘-ari’ into ‘-ari-ti’ to constitute the AC may be viewed as an instance of grammaticalisation, with remarks on its generality in line with Unidirectionality and on the licensing conditions on the AC which seem to be uncommon cross-linguistically.

Keywords: Yoron Ryukyuan, affectedness, passive, voice, case
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Descriptive preliminaries
    • 2.1Basic grammatical properties
    • 2.2Passive constructions
  • 3.The affective construction
    • 3.1Case marking
    • 3.2Grammatical relation and semantic role
    • 3.3Attachability of ‑ari
    • 3.4Co-occurrence with ‑ti
    • 3.5Proposal
  • 4.Further considerations
    • 4.1Semantic issues
    • 4.2Syntactic issues
  • 5.Remarks on grammaticalisation
  • 6.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 06 June 2018
https://doi.org/10.1075/sl.17002.ser
References
Börjars, K. & N. Vincent
2011 Grammaticalization and directionality. In B. Heine & H. Narrog (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Grammaticalization, 163–67. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Comrie, B.
1977 In defense of spontaneous demotion. In P. Cole & J. Sadock (eds.), Grammatical Relations, 47–58. New York: Academic Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
1989 Language Universals and Linguistic Typology, 2nd edn. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
1998 Perspectives on grammaticalization. In T. Ohori (ed.), Studies in Japanese Grammaticalization, 7–24. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers.Google Scholar
Estival, D. & J. Myhill
1988 Formal and functional aspects of the development from passive to ergative systems. In M. Shibatani (ed.), Passive and Voice, 441–91. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Evans, N.
2007 Insubordination and its use. In I. Nikolaeva (ed.), Finiteness, 366–431. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Giis, L.
2016 Ryukyu Okinoerabugo Masana-Hougen-no Kijutsu Bunpou Kenkyu. [A descriptive grammatical study on the Masana dialect of Okinoerabu Ryukyuan]. Nishihara, Japan: University of Ryukyus Ph.D. dissertation.Google Scholar
Givón, T.
1981 Typology and functional domains. Studies in Language 5(2). 163–93. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Grice, P.
1975 Logic and conversation. In P. Cole & J. Morgan (eds.), Syntax and Semantics, vol. 31, 41–58. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Hanazono, S.
2014 On “ti-form” of the modern Shuri dialect of Okinawan language. Tokyo Gaikokugo Daigaku Ryuugakusei Nihongo Kyouiku Sentaa Ronshuu 401. 161–71.Google Scholar
Haspelmath, M.
1990 The grammaticization of passive morphology. Studies in Language 14(1). 25–72. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Heine, B. & T. Kuteva
2002 World Lexicon of Grammaticalizaion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Heinrich, P.
2010 Ryukyu-go-wa “hougen”-de-wa-nai. [Ryukyuan languages are not “dialects”] In P. Heinrich & M. Shimoji (eds.), Ryukyu-shogo Kiroku Hozon-no Kiso. Tokyo: ILCAA.Google Scholar
Heinrich, P., S. Miyara, & M. Shimoji
2015 The Handbook of the Ryukyuan Languages. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Hopper, P. & S. Thompson
1980 Transitivity in grammar and discourse. Language 56 (2). 251–99. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Hopper, P. & E. Traugott
2003 Grammaticalization, 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Horie, K. & P. Pardeshi
2009 Gengo-no Taiporojii. [Typology of languages] Tokyo: Kenkyusha.Google Scholar
Ishizuka, T.
2012 The Passive in Japanese. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Keenan, E. L.
1976 Towards a universal definition of “subject.” In C. N. Li (ed.), Subject and Topic, 303–33. New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Keenan, E. L. & M. Dryer
2006 Passive in the world’s languages. In T. Shopen (ed.), Language Typology and Syntactic Description, vol. 11, 2nd edn, 325–61. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Kemmer, S.
1993 The Middle Voice. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Kibe, Y.
2014 Kagoshimaken Yoron hougen. [The dialect of Yoron in Kagoshima Prefecture] In Y. Kibe et al. (eds.), Kikitekina Joukyouniaru Gengo/Hougen-no Jittai-nikansuru Chousa Kenkyuu Houkokusho, 29–46. Tokyo: National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics.Google Scholar
Kiku, C. & T. Takahashi
2005 Yoron Hougen Jiten. [The dictionary of the Yoron dialect]. Tokyo: Musashino Shoin Publisher.Google Scholar
Kiku, H.
2006 Yoron-no Kotoba-de Hanasou, vol. 11, 2nd edn. [Let’s speak in the language of Yoron]. Yoron: Yoron Minzoku-mura.Google Scholar
2007 Yoron-no Kotoba-de Hanasou, vol. 21. [Let’s speak in the language of Yoron]. Yoron: Yoron Minzoku-mura.Google Scholar
2009 Yoron-no Kotoba-de Hanasou, vol. 31. [Let’s speak in the language of Yoron]. Yoron: Yoron Minzoku-mura.Google Scholar
2014 Yoron-no Kotoba-de Hanasou, vol. 41. [Let’s speak in the language of Yoron]. Yoron: Yoron Minzoku-mura.Google Scholar
Kinsui, S.
1991 Judoubun-no rekishi-ni tsuite-no ichikousatsu. [A study on the history of passive sentences]. Kokugogaku 1641. 1–14.Google Scholar
Kishimoto, H.
2004 Transitivity of ergative-marking predicates in Japanese. Studies in Language 28(1). 105–36. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Koizumi, M.
2008 Nominative object. In S. Miyagawa & M. Saito (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Linguistics, 141–64. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Kudo, M.
1990 Gendai nihongo-no judoubun. [Passive sentences in contemporary Japanese]. In Gengogaku-kenkyukai (ed.), Kotoba-no Kagaku, vol. 41, 47–102. Tokyo: Mugi Publishing Company.Google Scholar
2014 Gendai Nihongo Muudo Tensu Asupekuto-Ron. [A study on mood, tense, and aspect in contemporary Japanese]. Tokyo: Hituzi Syobo Publishing.Google Scholar
Kudo, M., K. Nakama, & H. Yakame
2007 Yoron hougen doushi-no asupekuto, tensu, ebidensharitii. [Aspect-tense-evidentiality of verbs in the Yoron dialect]. Kokugo-to Kokubungaku 84(3). 53–67.Google Scholar
Kulikov, L.
2011 Voice typology. In J. -J. Song (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Linguistic Typology, 368–98. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Kuno, M.
2005 Nihon Hougen Kiso Goi-no Kenkyu. [A study on the basic vocabulary of dialects in Japan]. Tokyo: Oufu.Google Scholar
Kuno, S.
1978 Danwa-no Bunpo. [The grammar of discourse]. Tokyo: Taishukan Publishing Company.Google Scholar
1987 Functional Syntax. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Kuroda, S. -Y.
1979 On Japanese passives. In G. Bedell et al. (eds.), Explorations in Linguistics, 305–47. Tokyo: Kenkyusha.Google Scholar
Masuoka, T.
1991 Judou hyougen-to shukansei. [Passive expressions and subjectivity]. In Y. Nitta (ed.), Nihongo-no Boisu-to Tadousei, 105–21. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers.Google Scholar
Miyara, S.
2015 Shuri Okinawan grammar. In P. Heinrich et al. (eds.), The Handbook of Ryukyuan Languages, 379–404. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Narrog, H.
2012 Modality, Subjectivity and Semantic Change. Oxford: Oxford University Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Narrog, H. & T. Ohori
2011 Grammaticalization in Japanese. In B. Heine & H. Narrog (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Grammaticalization, 775–85. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Niinaga, Y., M. Ishihara, & S. Nishioka
2014 Kitaryuukyuu shogo-no sonzokuryoku-to kikido. [Survival and the degree of endangerment of North Ryukyuan languages]. In M. Shimoji & P. Heinrich (eds.), Ryuukyuu Shogo-no Hoji-o mezashite. Tokyo: Koko.Google Scholar
Nitta, Y.
1995 ‑Shi-te-setsuzoku-o megutte. [On the clause-linking ‑shi-te ]. In Y. Nitta (ed.), Fukubun-no Kenkyu, vol. 11, 87–126. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers.Google Scholar
Ohori, T.
1995 Remarks on suspended clauses. In M. Shibatani & S. Thompson (eds.), Essays on Semantics and Pragmatics, 201–18. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.Google Scholar
2005 Nihongo-no bunpouka kenkyuu-niatatte. [Perspectives on grammaticalization in Japanese]. Kokugogaku 2221. 1–17.Google Scholar
Pellard, T.
2010 Ōgami (Miyako Ryukyuan). In M. Shimoji & T. Pellard (eds.), An Introduction to Ryukyuan Languages, 113–66. Tokyo: ILCAA.Google Scholar
2012 Converbs and their desubordination in Ōgami Ryukyuan. Gengo Kenkyu 1421. 95–118.Google Scholar
Sasaki, K.
2006 Kaku. [Case]. In K. Sasaki et al. (eds.), Hougen-no Bunpou. 1–46. Tokyo: Iwanami Publishers.Google Scholar
Shibatani, M.
1977 Grammatical relations and surface cases. Language 53(4). 789–809. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
1978 Nihongo-no Bunseki. [The analysis of Japanese]. Tokyo: Taishukan Publishing Company.Google Scholar
1985 Passive and related constructions. Language 61(4). 821–48. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
2000 Boisu. [Voice]. In N. Yoshio & T. Masuoka (eds.), Nihongo-no Bunpou, vol. 11, 119–86. Tokyo: Iwanami Publishers.Google Scholar
Shigeno, H. & R. Shirata
2016 Kitaryukyu Amami hougen-niokeru yuuseisei kaisou. [The animacy hierarchy in Amami daialects]. Hiroshima Keizai Daigaku Kenkyu Ronsou 38(4). 111–33.Google Scholar
Shimoji, M.
2015 Ryukyu shohougen-niokeru yuuhyou shukaku-to bunretsu jidousei. [Marked nominative case and split intransitivity in Ryukyuan dialects]. Hougen-no Kenkyu 11. 1–26.Google Scholar
2017 A Grammar of Irabu, a Southern Ryukyuan Language. Fukuoka: Kyushu University Press.Google Scholar
Shimoji, M. & T. Pellard
(eds.) 2010 An Introduction to Ryukyuan Languages. Tokyo: ILCAA.Google Scholar
Shinzato, R.
2007 (Inter)subjectification, Japanese syntax and syntactic scope increase. Journal of Historical Pragmatics 8(2). 171–206. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Tabor, W. & E. Traugott
1998 Structural scope expansion and grammaticalization. In A. Ramat & P. Hopper (eds.), The Limits of Grammaticalization, 229–72. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Takami, K.
1995 Kinouteki Koubunron-niyoru Nichieigo Hikaku. [Comparisons between Japanese and English in functional syntax]. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers.Google Scholar
Tohyama, N.
2013 Okinawaken shuri-hougen-niokeru shiekibun-no imikouzou. [Causative constructions in the Okinawa Shuri dialect]. Nihongo Bunpou 13(2). 105–21.Google Scholar
2014 Shuri-hougen-niokeru judoubun-no imikouzou-to benefakutibu. [Benefactive and passive constructions in the Shuri dialect]. International Review of Ryukyuan and Okinawan Studies 31. 11–25.Google Scholar
2015 Okinawa Shuri-hougen-niokeru Boisu-to Riekisei-no Kijutsu Bunpou Kenkyuu. [A descriptive grammatical study of voice and beneficiency in the Shuri dialect of Okinawan]. Nishihara, Japan: University of the Ryukyus Ph.D. dissertation.Google Scholar
Tohyama, N. & T. Seraku
2016 Towards a description of the case system of Yoron Ryukyuan. International Journal of Okinawan Studies 71. 57–81.Google Scholar
Toyota, J.
2011 The Grammatical Voice in Japanese. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.Google Scholar
Trask, R. L.
1979 On the origins of ergativity. In F. Plank (ed.), Ergativity, 385–404. London: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Tsujimura, N.
2007 An Introduction to Japanese Linguistics, 2nd edn. Oxford: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Tsunoda, T.
2009 Sekai-no Gengo-to Nihongo, 2nd edn. [The world’s languages and Japanese]. Tokyo: Kuroshio Publishers.Google Scholar
UNESCO
2009 Interactive Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger. http://​www​.unesco​.org​/languages​-atlas​/index​.php accessed on 14 Oct 2016.
Wiemer, B.
2011 The grammaticalization of passives. In B. Heine & H. Narrog (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Grammaticalization, 535–46. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Yamada, M.
1979 Ryukyugo Doushi-no Keitairon-teki Kouzou. [The morphological structures of verbs in Ryukyuan]. Tokyo: Kokusho Kankokai.Google Scholar
1981 Amami Yoron Hougen-no Taigen-no Gohou. [The usages of nominal expressions in the Yoron dialect]. Tokyo: Daiichi Shobo.Google Scholar
1983 Ryukyu-go Keiyoushi-no Keitaironteki Kouzou. [The morphological structure of adjectives in Ryukyuan languages]. Tokyo: Oufu.Google Scholar
Yamada, M., T. Pellard, & M. Shimoji
2015 Dunan grammar (Yonaguni Ryukyuan). In P. Heinrich et al. (eds.), The Handbook of Ryukyuan Languages, 449–78. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Cited by

Cited by 1 other publications

Shinzato, Rumiko
2020. Passives as unmarked voice: a case of “warning” Passives in Okinawan. Language Sciences 80 ► pp. 101276 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 24 january 2023. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers. Any errors therein should be reported to them.