Discussion On "(Ra)Reru" Potential Expression

There are many meanings in "(ra)reru" expression in Japanese, such as"potential","spontaneity","passive","respect" and et al. Each item is adifficult point and hot issue in present grammar studies, in which "(ra)reru"potential expression is representative in the potential expressions. The usage ofit is not only an important problem in grammar study of Japanese, but also adifficult point for the Chinese learners. To study the essence of "(ra)reru"potential expression, this thesis utilized related theories of cognitive linguisticsand analyzed mainly from the meaning and the sentence structurecharacteristics of "(ra)reru" potential expression. Firstly, this thesis discussedthe polysemy of "(ra)reru" expression and "(ra)reru" potential expression withthe meaning expansion network model. Secondly, it researched on the sentencestructure from the co-occurrence conditions with verbs, the case-alternation ofnominative and accusative. It discussed the co-occurrence conditions withverbs by the event cognitive model and analysed differences of the cognitivedomain between the paired transitive verbs and the corresponding intransitiveverb in "(ra)reru" potential expression. It explored the case-alternation ofaccusative (ga/wo) based on the transitivity hypothesis from agency, kinesis,volitionality, affectedness of object, aspect. At last, it comparatively analyzed "(ra)reru" potential expression and "ko to ga de ki ru" expression from aspectsof the meaning scope and the co-occurrence with verbs in sentences, furtherclarifies the use-condition of "(ra)reru" potential expression.This thesis deeply analysed the common usage and the substantivecharacteristics of "(ra)reru" potential expression through the research above,and showed the cognitive style of Japanese.