Cognitive Framework for Noun-Modifying Constructions in Japanese

Theoretical studies of the Japanese clausal noun-modifying construction (NMC), a construction that embraces what have usually been called relative clause and noun complement constructions, have generally been syntactically oriented, whether following the generative model or the functional approach. The examination of NMCs from the viewpoint of construal, however, reveals a broader-range of NMCs. The work presented in this paper draws from and further develops, concepts of frame semantics to explain the construal of NMCs. A significant advantage of a frame semantic analysis is that it provides a more extensive repertoire of roles than the standard (thematic) roles. More generally, the idea of frames as a conceptual structure which permits the identification of an extensive array of semantic relationships is of broad application in linguistics.