Cover not available
Part of
Japanese Mood and Modality in Systemic Functional Linguistics: Theory and Application
Edited by Ken-Ichi Kadooka
[Not in series 234] 2021
► pp. 51–100

Chapter 3
Grammatical metaphor of Transitivity, Mood and Modality in Japanese

A functional perspective

| Niigata University
In this chapter, we consider the applicability of the notion of grammatical metaphor to the study of Japanese. We take up Transitivity and reconfirm the fundamental concepts of grammatical metaphor, and introduce the notions of softening and strengthening metaphors as a way of understanding Mood and Modality metaphors. We then discuss the distinction between the Mood-shifting type and the Mood-shift-unbound type of metaphors, and consider the derived metaphors of Mood as well as the meta-Mood and meta-Modality metaphors. We contrast ‘daroo’ with English ‘will/would’ and ‘to omoimasu’ with English ‘I think’ and examine their similarities and differences. Finally, we argue that grammatical metaphor is viable for the analysis of not only English but also Japanese.
Keywords: Transitivity metaphor, Japanese nominalisation, naturalised metaphor, softening/strengthening metaphor, meta-Mood metaphor, meta-Modality metaphor, derived metaphor of Mood, monologic metaphor, Japanese Modality complex, metaphorical crossover
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Ideational metaphor and the distinction between congruency and metaphoricity
    • 2.1Basic concepts
    • 2.2What is congruent to what?
    • 2.3From meaning to lexico-grammatical form
    • 2.4Congruency and its cross-lingual applicability
    • 2.5The distinction between naturalness and congruency
    • 2.6Nominalisation and ideational metaphor
    • 2.7Summary about ideational metaphor
  • 3.Interpersonal metaphors in Japanese
    • 3.1Mood in English
    • 3.2Mood in Japanese
    • 3.3The whole system of the Japanese Mood
    • 3.4Mood metaphor in Japanese
      • 3.4.1The nature of Mood metaphor
      • 3.4.2Type-A Mood metaphor in Japanese
      • 3.4.3Type-B Mood metaphor in Japanese
    • 3.5Strengthening and softening effects of Mood metaphors
      • 3.5.1Strengthening Metaphor of Mood
      • 3.5.2Mood-shifting metaphor of Mood (indirect and softening type)
  • 4.Modality metaphor
    • 4.1English modality as viewed from SFL
      • 4.1.1The corresponding relations of the major interpersonal categories
      • 4.1.2The definition of Modality in SFL
    • 4.2Modality system in Japanese
    • 4.3Metaphor of Modality: A contrast between English and Japanese
      • 4.3.1Srengthening explicit metaphor of Modality
      • 4.3.2Subjunctive as a softening metaphor of Modality
    • 4.4Summary of the metaphors of Mood and Modality
  • 5.Conclusions
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • Abbreviations
  • References
Published online: 23 March 2021
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/z.234.02fuk
References (49)
References
Austin, J. L. (1962). How to Do Things with Words. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Brown, P. and S. C. Levinson. (1987). Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Firbas, Jan (1964). On defining the theme in functional sentence analysis. Travaux Linguistique de Prague 1: 267–280.Google Scholar
(1966). Non-thematic Subjects in contemporary English. Travaux Linguistique de Prague 2: 239–256.Google Scholar
Fukuda, Kazuo. (2003a). Bunpoteki metafa to wa nanika? – M. A. K. Halliday (1994) dai 10 sho wo megutte – [What is a grammatical metaphor? – On Chapter 10 in M. A. K. Halliday (1994)]. Journal of the Society of English Literature, Niigata University No.29, 34–54.Google Scholar
. (2003b). A consideration of the thematiser ‘wa’ in Japanese. In J. Hladký (Ed.) Language and Function. (pp.147–160). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
. (2006). Theme-Rheme Structure: A Functional Approach to English and Japanese. Niigata University Scholars Series Vol.5, Niigata: Niigata University.Google Scholar
. (2012). Sentaku taikei kino gengogaku (SFL) kara mita modariti [Modality as seen from Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL)]. In Aki, T. (Ed.) Gengo Ruikei no Kijyutsuteki Rironteki Kenkyu [Descriptive and Theoretical Studies on Language Typology]. (pp.115–133). Faculty of Humanities. Niigata University.Google Scholar
. (2013). Taijin Kankei no Gengogaku: Poraitonesu kara no Nagame [Linguisitics of Interpersonal Relations: A View from Politeness] Tokyo: Kaitakusha.Google Scholar
. (2014). Nihongo modariti oboegaki (1) [Notes on Japanese modality (1)] Gengo no Fuhensei to Kobetsusei [Universality and Individuality in Language] Vol.5. Niigata University. 1–13.Google Scholar
. (2015). Nihongo modariti oboegaki (2) – muudo to modariti no kubetsu – [Notes on Japanese modality (2) – The distinction between mood and modality]. Gengo no Fuhensei to Kobetsusei [Universality and Individuality in Language] Vol.6. Niigata University. 1–18.Google Scholar
. (2016). Kino bunpo de no jyoho taikei / modariti no teigi [Definition of mood system / modality in functional grammar]. In Kadooka, K., Igarashi, K., Iimura, R., Fukuda, K. & Kato, S. Kino Bunpo ni yoru Nihongo Modariti Kenkyu [Studies in Japanese Modality Based on Functional Grammar]. Tokyo: Kuroshio. 113–172.Google Scholar
. (2017a). Nihongo modariti oboegaki (3) – Modariti ni okeru Metafa to Hanmetafa [Notes on Japanese modality (3) – metaphor and semi-metaphor in modality]. Gengo no Fuhensei to Kobetsusei [Universality and Individuality in Language] Vol.8. Niigata University. 1–14.Google Scholar
. (2017b). Kino bunpo ni motozuku nihonngo modariti no Bunrui – sono rironteki kiso to kongo no kadai – [Classifying Japanese modality based on functional grammar: theoretical basis and issues for further research]. Society and Culture. Vol. 19. Journal of the Socio-Cultural Research Institute, Ryukoku University. 149–164.Google Scholar
Fukui, Nagisa. (2013). Description of MOOD in Japanese: examining Mood types in a selected set of texts. In Thomson, E. A. & W. S. Armour (Eds.) Systemic Functional Perspectives of Japanese: Descriptions and Applications. (pp. 65–100). Sheffield / Bristol: Equinox.Google Scholar
Grice, H. P. (1975). Logic and Conversation. In Cole, P. & J. L. Morgan (Eds.) Syntax and Semantics 3 (pp.41–58). New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Halliday, M. A. K. (1970). Functional diversity in language as seen from a consideration of modality and mood in English. In Foundations of Language: International Journal of Language and Philosophy, 6. 322–361 (Reprinted as Chapter 5 in Studies in English Language, the Collected Works of M. A. K. Halliday. Edited by Jonathan J. Webster. Vol.7. (pp.164–204). London & New York: Continuum.Google Scholar
(1985). An Introduction to Functional Grammar. 1st Ed. London: Arnold.Google Scholar
(1994). An Introduction to Functional Grammar, 2nd Ed., Arnold, London.Google Scholar
(2004). The Language of Science. Volume 5 in the Collected Works of M. A. K. Halliday. Edited by Jonathan J. Webster. London / New York: Continuum.Google Scholar
Halliday, M. A. K. and Christian M. I. M. Matthiessen. (1999). Construing Experience through Meaning: A Language-based Approach to Cognition. London and New York: Continuum.Google Scholar
. (2004). An Introduction to Functional Grammar, 3rd Ed. Arnold, London.Google Scholar
Halliday, M. A. K., Revised by Christian M. I. M. Matthiessen. (2014). Halliday’s Introduction to Functional Grammar. 4th Ed. London and New York: Routledge. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Hinds, J. and Y. Nishimitsu. (1986). Situation vs. Person Focus. Tokyo: Kuroshio.Google Scholar
Ikegami, Yoshihiko. (1981). ‘Suru’ to ‘Naru’ no Gengogaku – Gengo to Bunka no Taiporogi e no Shiron [Linguistics of ‘Suru’ and ‘Naru’: An Essay on the Typology of Language and Culture] Tokyo: Taishukan.Google Scholar
Kadooka, K., Igarashi, K., Iimura, R., Fukuda, K. and Kato, S.. (2016). Kino Bunpo ni yoru Nihongo Modariti Kenkyu [Studies in Japanese Modality Based on Functional Grammar]. Tokyo: Kuroshio.Google Scholar
Kuno, Susumu. (1972). Functional sentence perspective: A case study from Japanese and English. Linguistic Inquiry. 3(3). 269–320.Google Scholar
. (1973). Nihon Bunpoo Kenkyuu [Studies in Japanese Grammar] Tokyo: Taishukan.Google Scholar
Lassen, Inger. (2003). Imperative readings of grammatical metaphor: A study of congruency in the imperative. In Simon-Vandenbergen, A.-M., Taverniers, M. & Ravelli, L. (Eds.) Grammaical Metaphor: Views from Systemic Functional Linguistics. (pp. 279–308). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Masuoka, Takashi. (1991). Modariti no Bunpo [Grammar of Modality] Tokyo: Kuroshio.Google Scholar
. (2007). Nihongo Modariti Tankyu [A Quest of Japanese Modality] Tokyo: Kuroshio.Google Scholar
Matsumoto, Yoshiko. (1989). Politeness and Conversational Universals – Observations from Japanese. Multilingua. 8-2/3. 207–221. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Narrog, Heiko. (2009). Modality in Japanese. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
. (2014). Modariti no teigi wo megutte [On the definition of modality]. In Sawada, H. (Ed.) Modality I: Theory and Method. Hitsuji Imiron Koza 3. (pp.1–23). Tokyo: Hitsuji Shobo.Google Scholar
Nihongo Kijyutsu Bunpo Kenkyukai (Ed.) (2003). Gendai Nihongo Bunpo 4, Dai 8 Bu: Modariti [Modern Japanese Grammar 4, The 8th Section: Modality] Tokyo: Kuroshio.Google Scholar
Noda, Hisashi. (1996). Wa to Ga (Wa and Ga), Tokyo: Kuroshio.Google Scholar
Sato (Suto), Kinuko and Barnard, Christopher. (2013). Nominalisation and nouniness as meaning strategies in Japanese political manifestos. In Thomson, E. A. & W. S. Armour (Eds.) Systemic Functional Perspectives of Japanese: Descriptions and Applications. (pp.173–209). Sheffield / Bristol: Equinox.Google Scholar
Sawada, Harumi. (2006). Modariti [Modality] Tokyo: Kaitakusha.Google Scholar
Searle, J. R. (1975). Indirect Speech Act. In Cole, P. & J. L. Morgan (Eds.) Syntax and Semantics 3 (pp.59–82). New York: Academic Press.Google Scholar
(1993). Metaphor. In Ortony, A. (Ed.) Metaphor and Thought, 2nd Ed. (pp. 83–111). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Sperber, D. and D. Wilson. (1986). Relevance: Communication and Cognition. Oxford: Blackwell.Google Scholar
Simon-Vandenbergen, A.-H., Taverniers, M., & L. Ravelli (Eds.) (2003). Grammatical Metaphor: Views from Systemic Functional Linguistics. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Takiura, Masato. (2005). Nihon no Keigoron: Poraitonesu Riron kara no Saikento [Argumentations on Honorifics in Japan: A Reconsideration from Politeness Theory] Tokyo: Taishukan.Google Scholar
Tatsuki, Masa-aki. (2000). Tema / Rema no kaishaku to supura tema: Puragu gengo gakuha kara sentaku taikei kino gengogaku e [The interpretation of theme / rheme and the supra-theme: from Prague school linguistics to systemic functional linguistics). In Koizumi, T. (Ed.) Gengo Kenkyu ni okeru Kino Shugi [Functionalism in Linguistic Studies] (pp.49–73). Tokyo: Kuroshio.Google Scholar
. (2017). SFL ni miru shudai kaishaku no hensen to nihongo tekusuto no syudaiteki kaishaku [Change in the definition of theme in SFL and the Japanese text analysis from the Thematic point of view] Japanese Journal of Systemic Functional Linguistics. Vol.9.1–19.Google Scholar
Taverniers, Miriam (2003). Grammatical metaphor in SFL: A historiography of the introduction and initial study of the context. In Simon-Vandenbergen, A.-M., Taverniers, M. & L. Ravelli (Eds.) Grammaical Metaphor: Views from Systemic Functional Linguisitics. (pp.5–33). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins. DOI logoGoogle Scholar
Thomson, E. A. (2013). The System of THEME in Japanese. In Thomson, E. A. & W. S. Armour (Eds.) Systemic Functional Perspectives of Japanese: Descriptions and Applications. (pp.101–136). Sheffield / Bristol: Equinox.Google Scholar
Teruya, Kazuhiro. (2007). A Systemic Functional Grammar of Japanese, Vol.1. London: Continuum.Google Scholar
Yasui, Minoru. (2007). Bunpoteki metafa kotohajime [The grammatical metaphor as I see it]. Japanese Journal of Systemic Functional Linguistics. Vol:4. 1–20.Google Scholar
Cited by (2)

Cited by two other publications

Cheng, Shi
2023. A review of interpersonal metafunction studies in systemic functional linguistics (2012–2022). Journal of World Languages DOI logo
Geng, Fang
2022. A contrastive study of the Chinese and Japanese mood type systems. Journal of World Languages 8:1 ► pp. 83 ff. DOI logo

This list is based on CrossRef data as of 30 september 2024. 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.