FOUR OBLIQUE CASE PARTICLES IN MITSUKAIDO DIALECT

The aim of this study is to describe the four oblique case particles -nge, -ngani, -sa, -ni used in Mistukaido Dialect (South-Western Ibaraki) to render the semantic content covered by -ni in Standard Japanese and to discuss some of the ensuing theoretical problems.

The conclusions of our analysis of the meaning and use of the four particles can be summed up as follows:

i. -nge, -ngani, -sa have semantic content while -ni is a semanticany empty oblique case marker.

ii. For the three meaningful particles it is possible to distinguish a central function, which can be captured by means of a unique semantic feature, as well as peripheral uses. We have used the concept of 'family resemblance' to provide a unitary explanation for both types of use.

iii. There are contexts where the use of more than one particle is appropriate. Depending on the overlapping particle, three types of overlap can be distinguished: (1) overlap due to the animacy feature of the NP, ex: -nge/ -sa; (2) overlap at the periphery of the semantic domain, ex: -nge/ -ngani; (3) overlap due to language change, namely the expansion of the domain of -ni over the other three partides.

The main theoretical problems raised by this study concern:

a. The relation between 'animacy' and thematic role of an NP

b. The relevance of the Mitsukaido case system for the analysis of the case particle -ni in Standard Japanese.

c. The possible case marking patterns for the underlying agent in derived constructions (passive, causative and potential) in various Japanese dialects.