Comparative analysis: to and ni as case particles in Japanese

This study focuses on particles To and Ni as case particles that function to express the relationship between nouns and predicates in a sentence focusing on the comparative analysis of the two case particles. Based on Tsujimura's opinion, it can be said that in Japanese, case particles are part of a phrase. Case particle is related to the function of the words in the sentence. The method used to analyze the data is Agih method (distributional method). Advanced analysis techniques with substitution techniques were applied in this study. This technique is used to study a case particle in the Japanese sentence structure. This research produces several things that are expected to be helpful to readers. To and Ni case particles can replace each other for the context of sentences that have the following meanings: Pairs Meaning, Translative Meaning, Accusative Meaning, and Ablative Meaning. But on the other hand, To and Ni as case particles can not substitution each other. Especially sentences with the following meanings: accusative meaning, commitative meaning, partner meaning, citation meaning, alatif meaning, purpose meaning, time markers meaning, diathesis on passive sentences, diathesis on causative sentences, dative meaning, and locative meaning.

Japanese and the mainland dialects

After a brief discussion on the relationships between modern mainland dialects with the two varieties of Old Japanese, Central Old Japanese and Eastern Old Japanese, the salient features of Standard Japanese are described from the new perspective of grammatical nominalizations. Then cross-dialectal studies are presented on selected topics, centering on case particles and the conclusive/adnominal verbal patterns. Also presented for the first time in English is a reasonably detailed description of the isolated dialect of Hachijō Island, which, like Ryūkyūan, retains many archaic features of Old Japanese.

A comparative approach to nominal morphology in Transeurasian Case and plurality

Plurality and case markers in Transeurasian languages have different morphological statuses, varying from case particles to affixes. Particles preserve a certain autonomy; they are usually invariable and do not depend on the morphophonological features of the preceding stem. Affixes participate in internal morphophonological processes depending on the preceding stem. However, in many cases we can observe the process of grammaticalization turning particles or postpositions into affixes. All Transeurasian languages that preserve case and plurality markers follow the same stem—plurality marker—case marker scheme. Cross-linguistically recurrent paradigmatic patterns imply that observed material and functional similarity is not coincidental. The chapter summarizes previous studies in the field, proposes a reconstruction of case and number systems in the individual language families within Transeurasian, and discusses the common patterns among them.

Inside the noun phrase and on the edge of the sentence

This chapter discusses the structure of the noun phrase, arguing that it is tightly parallel to the structure of the sentence, with C-movement within the extended nominal projection forming nP, followed by argument merge of locative and genitive arguments, then long spinal movement of nP across the arguments, into the left periphery. The focus then turns to the left edge of nominals, examining the determiner and case particles. It is argued that the proper-common feature is the only feature remaining from the Proto-Tongic determiner system, but that the D position remains in Niuean, housing occasional determiner or linkers, and hosting quantifiers or possessors in its specifier. Number, aspect, and nominalization are also explored. The second part of the chapter explores the tense, aspect, mood particles in the CP domain, arguing for three positions. The chapter concludes with a discussion of operator movement, arguing that there is no wh-movement in Niuean.