A study on the semantic usage of the imperative sentence ‘Mate’: Focusing on the realization of the target action

In this study, we analyze the Japanese imperative ‘Mate" which functions as a positive command but can also act as a negative command in modern Japanese. The analysis is based on the conditions for completion of imperative sentences, such as [1] volitional verbs, [2] the non-realization of command content, [3] the second person subject, and [4] the self-control of the subject. We assume that imperative sentences have characteristics such as , , and . We further distinguish between ‘command content’ in the conditions for completion and ‘target action’ in the characteristics, to investigate the semantic function of the ‘Mate’ command. That is, we comprehensively consider the conditions for completion, characteristics of Imperative sentences, and the consistency between the target action and contents of the Imperative sentences. Through the method proposed in this study, we confirmed that the ‘Mate" command requires execution, but it can also be used to prevent, sustain, or suppress various anticipated actions. Depending on the usage of the ‘Mate" command, the consistency between ‘target action’ and ‘contents of the Imperative sentences’ varies. For ‘execution commands" and ‘continuation commands," they match, but for ‘preventive commands" and ‘suppressive commands," they do not. As a result of this study, the importance of the analytical filters of ‘target action’ and ‘contents of the Imperative sentences’ became clear through the ‘Mate" command, which takes the form of a positive command but is interpreted as a prohibition. この研究では、現代日本語において肯定命令文が禁止命令文として機能する「待て」を分析するために、[1] 意志動詞、[2] 命令内容の未実現性、[3] 2人称の主語、[4] 主語の自己制御性といった命令文の成立条件を基に、<話し手の要求性>、<対象行為の実現性>、<聞き手の遂行意志性>という特性があると前提する。さらに、命令文の成立条件における「命令内容」と命令文の特性における「対象行為」を区別し、「対象行為」の実現性を中心に「待て」命令文の意味機能を検討した。つまり、命令文の成立条件、命令文の特性、<対象行為>と<命令内容>の一致を包括的に考慮することである。 この研究で提案した考察方法により、命令文「待て」が実行を要求する意味だけでなく、予防や維持、制止などの多様な用法で使用されることを確認した。命令文「待て」の「対象行為」と「命令内容」の一致性という観点から、「実行命令」と「維持命令」は一致するが、「予防命令」と「制止命令」は一致しないことが明らかになった。 本研究の結果として、肯定命令の形を取りながらも禁止命令文の機能として解釈される「待て」を通じて、<対象行為>と<命令内容>という分析フィルターの重要性が明確になった。