open access

https://doi.org/10.14943/110534

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/92086

Temporal Adverbs in Ainu Language Representing Points in Time

日本語

絶対的時点

2024-03-20

Japan Association of Northern Language Studies

Northern Language Studies

14

177-195

In Ainu language, there are three types of temporal adverbs that indicate points in time: temporal adverbs based on the time of utterance, temporal adverbs based on an indefinite time, and temporal adverbs of absolute time points. First, temporal adverbs based on the time of utterance include those that refer to a time period including the time of utterance, those that indicate a time before the utterance, and those that indicate a time after the utterance. Temporal adverbs referring to a time period including the time of utterance can express three meanings: past, present, and future; or two meanings: past and present. Temporal adverbs indicating a time before the utterance often express career and experience, while those indicating a time after the utterance often co-occur with commands and prohibitions. Next, temporal adverbs based on an indefinite time are further divided into those that indicate a time period including an indefinite time, before an indefinite time, and after an indefinite time. Temporal adverbs indicating a time period including an indefinite time can express either three meanings: past, present, and future; or two meanings: past and present. Finally, regarding temporal adverbs of absolute time points, while there are fewer calendar-like adverbs as in Japanese, there are many that repeatedly appear at fixed intervals on the time axis. Whether these temporal adverbs indicate the past, present, or future is not determined by themselves, but depends on where the time of utterance falls on the time axis.

紀要論文

Version of Record

2185-7121

AA12516968