變化の過程としての現代日本語－ 接頭辭オの機能を解明する －

Abstract

There are tow reasons why classification and explanations of the so­called honorific prefix o in dictionaries of Japanese are quite confusing. One reason is that editors stick to erroneous concept of so-called keigo consisting of three categories. and another reason is that they do not take language change into consideration. Why so-called? Why erroneous? Because the primary function of so-called keigo in classical Japanese was not to show respect to some person/s but to define the agent/s or patient/s of the verb, or whom the object/s belong to. Compared to Modern Japanese, first person and second person pronouns in classical Japanese were very scarce and frequencies of use were rather rare if never. In the course of Middle Age, first person and second person pronouns increased by and by and came into use, so the primary function of so-called keigo shifted to show politeness, and three categories melted into one.