Abstract
The particle maa is a most frequent marker in spoken Japanese, showing quite different values. This article proposes a hypothesis on the semantics of maa, defined as marking the doubt of the speaker as regards the validation of an event or a fact (noted P) as given in the left context or in the situation. This semantic identity of maa endows P with both a positive and a negative value - the negative component specifying the subjective relation of the speaker to P. Five main types of uses of maa are distinguished on the basis of two criteria: the way P is given in the context or situation; the variable weighting of the positive value and the negative value that maa endows P with.
| Translated title of the contribution | The discourse marker maa in Japanese |
|---|---|
| Original language | French |
| Pages (from-to) | 117-128 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Langages |
| Volume | 207 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 Sept 1 |
Keywords
- Discourse marker
- Japanese
- Maa
- Semantic identity
- Variation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language