幕末期の人称代名詞についての考察

Abstract

The late Edo period after 1853, known as Bakumatsu, was an important transitional period for Japan to move toward modern society. During this period, Western culture began to be absorbed into Japanese culture, and since language reflects culture and society, Western culture influenced the formation of the modern Japanese language. This paper examines how personal pronouns were used and evolved over the period, specifically focusing on the period from 1853 to 1869. Using Kuaiwa Hen by Ernest Satow (1873), Musuidokugen by Katuskokiti(1843), and Aguranabe by Kanagakirobun(1871-72) as references, this paper investigates how first-person and second-person pronouns were used in the late Edo period. Specifically, this paper analyzes the different use of personal pronouns by social hierarchy; for example, “boku”, “watashi”, “ore”, “wachiki”, and “temae” for first-person pronouns; and “anata”, “temae”, “omae”, and “kimi” for second-person pronouns. This paper finds that the use and pattern of personal nouns in the late Edo period vary by gender, social status, occupation, educated classes and the use of Sino-Japanese vocabulary. Understanding the Japanese language in the period of Bakumatsu will help us better understand the modern Japanese language.