文の事態内容に対する話し手の認識的判断と モダリティ副詞の研究 ─蓋然性の高い「必ず」「きっと」「絶対に」「間違いなく」を 話し手情報の観点から─

Abstract

In this paper, I put forth an analysis of Japanese high probability adverbs “kanarazu”, “kitto”, “zettaini” and “machigainaku” with respect to the contextual information and a speaker's background information. The main points are summarized as follows: (1)“machigainaku” is used to express [conviction/assertion], [guess] and [will]. The primary meaning of “machigainaku” is [conviction/assertion](50%). This particular usage implies that the speaker is 100 percent certain, based on his background information, that the contextual information of a sentence with “machigainaku” is true, and so, he believes it is impossible that the contextual information is false. Its secondary meaning is [guess](33%). (2)“kitto” is used to express [guess+expectation], [belief(belief in a good prospect)(belief in will/confirmation) (belief in the falsehood of the contextual information)], [sarcasm], [euphemism] and [suggestion]. The primary meaning of “kitto” is [guess+expectation](39%), and its secondary meaning is [belief](34%). (3)“kanarazu” is used to express [[high probability/habit], [will], [belief], [guess] and [obligation]. The primary meaning of “kanarazu” is [high probability/habit]](47.3%), and its secondary meaning is [will](21.8%). (4)“zettaini” is used to express [conviction], [will] and [guess+possibility], but the underlying meaning of “zettaini” is an emphasis/assertion of the possibility that the contextual information turns out to be true. The primary meaning of “zettaini” is [conviction+emphasize/assert](55%), and its secondary meaning is [will+emphasize/assert] (27.5%).