ビルマ語における数の範疇について : 複数助詞の用法を中心に

Abstract

In Burmese grammar it is an interesting and valuable matter to study what category of Number exists in the language. Most of traditional grammarians of Burmese had undoubtedly explained that there would be two classes in the category of Number-one is singular, the other is plural. By efforts of modern students, however, it turned out clear that the analysis is hardly suitable. The present writer independently tried to investigate the matter through all the materials which are gathered on the basis of modern Burmese. Consequently it led to the following opinion. In Burmese the plurality is specified by using each plural particle. Each noun and verb without plural particle cannot exclusively be singular, but may be either singular or plural. In other word plural particles are optionally used. This fact represents evidence that the rigid opposition of Number does not exist in Burmese nouns and verbs. Nevertheless as for personal pronouns singular forms are strictly distinguished from plural forms with plural particles, that is, the use of plural particles is obligatory. Noun plural particles in Burmese have three functions : (1) Apl. ⟶ Aa+Ab+…(normal plural), (2) Apl. ⟶ A+others (plural of approximation), (3) (A+B+…) pl. ⟶ A+B+… (unification). (The symbols 'A, B, …', 'pl.' indicate each noun and plural particle respectively.) Verb plural particles specify the plurality (more strictly, severality or mutuality) of agent. The writer would like to express his special appreciation to Dr. Tatsuo Nishida, Kyoto University, who provided a kind and detailed criticism for this dissertation.