(Inter)subjectification, Japanese syntax and syntactic scope increase

Abstract

This paper investigates the correlation between semantic-pragmatic change of (inter)subjectification and its syntactic effects. It points out that the diachronic change of subjectification > intersubjectification (Traugott 2003) finds its synchronic counterpart in the rigid predicate order of Japanese. Furthermore, paying closer attention to a layered model in Japanese traditional linguistics, it claims that Japanese episodes of (inter)subjectification display core to peripheral positional shifts of grammaticalized items. In contrast, the opposite directionality is exhibited with the case of possible desubjectification (imperative > conditional). Putting these issues all together, the paper questions syntactic scope decrease as a parameter of grammaticalization, and supports instead structural scope increase, as in “C-command scope increase” (Tabor and Traugott 1998), “raising/upwards movement” (Roberts and Roussou 2003) and “syntactic impoverishment” (Company forthcoming a, b).Aside from this specific focus, this paper is also an attempt to synthesize the rich tradition of Japanese linguistic studies on subjectivity with their Western counterparts.

Funny that isn't it ProTags in combination at the right periphery

“…In summary, our corpus data show that a ProTag is more likely to precede a PM with intersubjective core meaning, as predicted by Shinzato's (2007) model. However, it is necessary to combine quantitative analysis with a qualitative approach because when, contra expectation, a ProTag follows a QT -a PM with intersubjective meaning -further investigation revealed that the two PMs form a compound with intersubjective meaning.…”

“…With respect to the two hypotheses set out in Section 2, we found that PM sequences at RP which include a ProTag (i) displayed tendencies consistent with Shinzato's (2007) ordering principle of subjective > intersubjective, while (ii) exhibiting ordering preferences within the subjective inner layer. However, before we discuss these findings in detail, it is necessary to consider why certain PM combinations were not attested at all.…”

“…We find support for Traugott's (2012) position that while the hypothesized correlation between subjectivity and LP and intersubjectivity and RP may be robust, it is not determinisitic because the core meaning of a ProTag at RP is subjective. More specifically, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, we find evidence that Shinzato's (2007) ordering principle of subjective PM > intersubjective PM applies at RP in British English.…”

“…ProTags in Combination at RP Haselow (2017: 202) observes that the combinability and serialization of units at RP is constrained and that it has a "syntax of its own that requires further investigation". Shinzato (2007) proposes a general ordering principle which, applied to the RP, predicts:…”

Silky entanglements in Chinese color‐naming and its diachronic change: A new materialism perspective

“…Inspired by color term evolution, the regularity in language change was explained in the following manner: "if C, then it is likely to have arisen from B, and if B, then B is likely to have arisen from A but not necessarily vice versa." 31,32 This argument signified unidirectionality and subjectification, which was not immune to criticisms [33][34][35][36] since bidirectional paths have been discovered in many languages, such as Korean, 37 Japanese, 38 Spanish, 39 and Chinese. 40 Historically speaking, linguistic studies have been divided into structural and empirical approaches along with the philosophical divergence between human and non-human, culture and nature, and mind and matter.…”