Toward the Refinement of Semantic Studies of Compound Nouns and Compound Adjectives

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

In order to refine semantic studies of compound nouns and compound adjectives in Japanese and English, the following have been done. (1) Weakening of semantic elements in compound nouns is shown and a way of the interpretation of such compounds is suggested on the basis of "qualia structure" of Generative Lexicon. (2) Expressions like Roushi-ichiryuu and kabukiyakusha-yoroshiku are investigated in terms of the notion "compound-specific submeaning." (3) As to the expression houdai in tabe-houdai, its use and meaning in contemporary Japanese are discussed and changes of its use and meanings in Japanese since the 15th century are explicated. It is also pointed out that houdai can be regarded as an example of "grammaticalization" involved in Japanese compounds.