A Study on the Grammaticalization of 「っていうか」（tteiuka） in Japanese

• Main Authors: Miao-Chi Chang, 張妙伎
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/41462192154349891668

碩士 === 東吳大學 === 日本語文學系 === 95 === Abstract In recent years, the usage of 「っていうか」（tteiuka） has been heard a lot from TV shows, movies and general fictions. However, this usage of the grammar is full of variables and it is not easy for me to apply it flexibly. In my short-sighted view, the textbooks which sold in the market did not mention about how to practice the usage. In fact, this usage is the most popular for the young generation in Japan. Thus, this paper aims at analyzing and discussing on 「っていうか」（tteiuka）. In order to include all the possible usage, this paper has included from the original usage to the derivative word and this research is based largely on two majors of corpus datum to investigate into their styles and functions. Due to the limited pages, the following of statements are the most important chapters in this paper. First of all, the formations of 「っていうか」（tteiuka）, occasions and the gender of speakers are discussed in the third chapter. If the「っていうか」（tteiuka） is a high-frequency word, this usage of word occurs spontaneously in different occasions. By meaning of use occasion, the 「っていうか」（tteiuka）can be assumed that its grammatical formation. In addition, no matter the use of occasion or formation, they are also decided by speakers. Furthermore, the analysis of the speakers’ sex difference has a further investigation on this study. Moreover, the fourth chapter, the 「っていうか」（tteiuka）is analyzed its formation that is a transition. According to the fourth chapter, there are up to18 syntactical functions which can be joined in front of the 「っていうか」（tteiuka） such as noun, verb, adverb, auxiliary, interrogative, etc. Consequently, this research shows that any parts of speeches can be put in front of this word because this syntax of 「っていうか」（tteiuka） is unique than the other words’. In addition, the fifth chapter discusses the function of speaking for 「っていうか」（tteiuka）. For example, there are ten items of functions such as「言い直し」（iinaoshi）、「言い換え」（iikae）、「話題転換」（wadaitenkan）、「婉曲表現」（enkyokuhyougen）、「緩衝詞」（kansyoushi）…and so on. In these ten functions, the feature of 「っていうか」（tteiuka）is multiple which it can be changed in different sentences based on various of speaking functions. Therefore, the syntax of 「っていうか」（tteiuka）can be placed in the sentences at the beginning, middle, and end. The 「っていうか」（tteiuka）has been gradually changed from fundamental usage to conjunction. This language change presents its variety which takes a dramatic turn into the method of abstract. In conclusion, the processes of developing from basic to connective usages imply the characteristic of grammaticalization.