Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.31724/rihjj.50.2.9

Distribution of Suppositional Adverbs in Japanese Language Corpora: Using Skewer-Search System KOTONOHA

Irena Srdanović orcid.org/0000-0003-1281-176X ; Juraj Dobrila University of Pula

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze and describe the distribution of suppositional, more broadly, modal adverbs in Japanese language corpora using state-of-the art resources for empirical linguistic analysis. Specific adverbs with suppositional modality meanings, such as tabun, osoraku, kanarazu, kanarazushimo, kitto etc. are compared in their usage across multiple corpora using the concordance system “KOTONOHA” developed at the National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics. This analysis aims to indicate which adverbs are commonly used across a variety of contexts and which are more specialized. The study compares usage across eleven different Japanese language corpora, including written and spoken corpora, learners’ corpora, diachronic corpora, revealing differences in genres, registers, native speakers’ or learners’ usage, as well as changes over time. Two widely used adverbs, tabun and osoraku ‘probably’, belonging to the expectation modality type, are used as a model to present retrieved data and graphs with detailed interpretation. The research enhances understanding of adverbs’ linguistic features, contextual usage, and evolution, with implications for Japanese language education, while proposing a methodology for future studies using multiple corpora and suggesting advancements in language resources to stimulate further research.

Keywords

modal adverbs; Japanese language; distribution; language corpora; suppositional adverbs

Hrčak ID:

329255

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/329255

Publication date:

31.12.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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