Permalink : http://hdl.handle.net/2115/34577

This paper analyses complex sentences consisting of an initial clause including a benefactive auxiliary verb and a second clause including an expression of thanks. The study focuses in particular on sentences using kudasaru or itadaku. Complex sentences of this kind show grammatical constraints as illustrated by oshiete (*moratte/kurete) arigatoo. However, if the verb morau is changed to the object-honorific itadaku, the whole sentence is rendered as oshiete itadaite arigatoo gozaimasu. This kind of expression sounds natural and is in common use, appearing even in Japanese textbooks. Based on the above facts, the paper examines how the usage of honorific and polite expressions affects the grammaticality of sentences containing benefactive auxiliary verbs. First, the paper investigates prior research related to te-form conjunctive sentences expressing appreciation. Second, the paper suggests three possible factors which affect grammaticality, based on analysis of acceptance criteria for the expressions *V-te moratte arigatoo and V-te itadaite arigatoo gozaimasu. Finally, the paper concludes that honorific and polite expressions affect the acceptability of sentences through cancelling the inherent directionality of benefactive expressions.