현대일본어 「ない限り」의 의미와 기능

Abstract

This study aims to investigate “‘p’nai kagiri, ‘q’ nai,” which is one of the form of negative expression in modern Japanese. Special attention was given to its meaning, function and purpose of expression. The result and findings of study are as follows: First, when “kagiri” is used as a noun, it indicates limit or allowed limitation. When it collocates with a positive predicate, it identifies a realistic situation, meaning the maximum permissible limit. Second, when “kargiri” is used with “nai” in the form “‘p’ nai kagiri, ‘q’nai,” it shows a hypothetical situation, indicating various meanings such as possibility of realization, hypothetical situations, or limitations. Third, when the form of main clause shifts from “‘q’ nai” to “‘q’da,”the entire meaning changes significantly, emphasizing exception, speaker’s opinion, suggestion from the speaker, judgment by the speaker, or request from the speaker. Fourth, when the form of main clause changes from “‘q’nai” to the past tense “‘q’ ta,” the sentence identifies a limited situation in the past. Fifth, the researcher investigates the collocational relationship between “kagiri” and other components such as “baai,” “made,” and “aida.”