THE MEANING AND FUNCTION OF THE SUFFIXES -KI, -KERI, -TU, -NU, -TARI, AND -RI IN 'GENZI MONOGATARI' (JAPAN)

This study describes the meaning and function of the suffixes {ki}, {keri}, {tu}, {nu}, {tari} and {ri}--the tense/aspect suffixes of classical Japanese--as they appear in Genzi monogatari, written around the year 1000. Much of the problem in the analyses done heretofore by Japanese grammarians arises because they have examined the tense/aspect suffixes in isolation without the benefit of the information a surrounding context would supply.;Each suffix is objectively differentiated from the others according to frequency. Contextual analysis is thus based on definable criteria yielding the following results. {Ki} is a suffix of past tense used primarily in conversation, rarely followed by another suffix, often followed by a sentential particle. {Keri} does not mark tense and its meaning depends on whether it occurs in dialogue or narrative. In conversation {keri} denotes sudden awareness of the true nature of an event; in narrative the author uses the suffixes when introducing a character new to the scene. In general {keri} functions more like a sentential particle than a suffix. {Tu} is used in reference to actions in the immediate past and when the speaker is offering a confirming opinion. {Nu} is associated with change or process, in the absence of the speaker's emotion, and seems to indicate perfect of result. {Tari} denotes either perfect or imperfective depending on the contextual meaning of the verb to which it is suffixed. There seems to be no difference in the meanings of {tari} and {ri}. When the context calls for honorific, {ri} is chosen over {tari}.;More generally, a clear difference in usage and style between narrative and dialogue becomes apparent.;This study is limited to suffixes meeting these criteria: (1) suffix followed by juncture; (2) suffix preceding the quotative particle to; (3) suffix preceding a sentence particle; (4) suffix followed by one or more suffixes with or without a sentence particle, and a juncture. The suffixes are examined according to frequency of occurrence in eleven grammatical, contextual and semantic categories; the pairs {ki} and {keri}, {tu} and {nu}, and {tari} and {ri} are then compared in various contexts.