A Contrastive Study of Chinese and Japance Language:Using Westen Linguistics Theory to Investigate Chinese and Japance Existential Sentence

• Main Authors: Chia-chin Tsao, 曹嘉琴
• Other Authors: Guang-xing Zhu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/32565619747896219445

碩士 === 東吳大學 === 日本語文學系 === 95 === Until recently it is widely believed that Western linguistics can offer an explanation to all of the languages in the world. The aim of this paper is to discuss if the principles in Western linguistics can truly be applied to define all of the languages in the world. TOKIEDA MOTOKI, a famous Japanese grammarian, pointed out that current study of grammar is based on the principles of Western linguistics, it may be suitable for explaining English, but it can not be fully applied to Japanese. It is incorrect to insist that the Western linguistics can interpret all languages. If we can not abandon this misunderstanding, then we will not be able to secure the correct grammar of our own language. According to research by experts in various fields, Chinese and English involve different cognitive processes and principles. Since both Chinese and English are two completely different languages, is it appropriate to use the same cognitive analysis? I believe that by using the principles in Western linguistics to explain languages of completely different nature is an impractical solution to the problem. This paper is divided into five main chapters. Chapter 1 explains the motive, goal, scope and method of research. Chapter 2 examines related literature and questions. Chapter 3 elaborates on linguistics theory, including definition on parts of speech and language structure, characteristic of syntax, and whether or not part of speech has any significance in Chinese and Japanese languages. Chapter 4 studies the existential sentences in Chinese and Japanese using language structures; then proceed to describe the Chinese language structure under current linguistic standard; and based on a different structure of existential sentences in the Chinese language to further discuss the question raised in Chapter 3, whether modern linguistics theory can or cannot be applied to Chinese. Chapter 5 states the conclusion of this paper.