The Research Of Japanese Numerals By The Theory Of Cultural Linguistics

In the Japanese linguistic academia, numerals are merely taken as the way of expressing amount or sequence. Though it is advocated by some that they should be categorized as a certain parts of speech, others do not take it as a necessity. They think it should be grouped as nouns. According to my personal field study, numeral carries abundant content and changes frequently. Till now, its research in Japan is limited in the sphere of its history, origin and transformation. In China, the research mainly focuses on comparisons between Chinese-Japanese numerals, the analysis of cultural phenomenon carried by the numerals. A lot of articles cover the writing and usage of numerals.Following the precedent, taking the Japanese numerals, especially from "one" to "ten" as the research subject, based on the theory of cultural linguistics, the present thesis explores the implicit and explicit cultural elements embodied in numeral words, phonology of numerals and the grammar of the sentences formed by numerals. By studying the present usage and significance of proverbs, sayings and idioms formed by numerals, and taking a deep research into its rhetoric skills, we can get a clear picture of Japanese's values and outlook of the world from history till present.In detail, the thesis will be as the following.The introduction briefs the research background, significance as well as the aims. Chapter one provides literature review. It will summaries the former research of Japanese done in the field of cultural linguistics and the previous study of numerals. The position taken by the present thesis as well as the research methodology and subjects will be made clear too. Chapter two, from the perspective of words and culture, phonology and culture, grammar and culture, it summarizes the current usage of numerals and the cultural elements embodied in it. Chapter three analyzes the proverbs, idioms and sayings, which are regarded as the epitome of the Japanese culture. The last chapter sums up the final conclusion reached by the thesis, pointing out its limits, which can be taken as reference for further research on this subject. Besides the above, in Chapter two and three, there are also some comparison between Japanese and Chinese to emphasis the special cultural elements of Japan, though not taken as the important point.In all, by composing this thesis, the author intends to widen the possibilities of the research of Japanese numerals, and have a positive influence on the following Japanese numeral research.