Origin and structure of focus concord constructions in Old Japanese – a synthesis

Abstract

This paper provides a critical analysis of the possible origins and the proposed structures of focus particle constructions with clause-final nominalized predicates in older Japanese, which form part of the so-called kakari-musubi (dependent–concluding) constructions. These constructions typically invove a focused constituent with a specific particle that corresponds to a specific nominalized predicate form. A salient feature of Old Japanese syntax, the focus concord rapidly declined from the 12th century on and are not preserved in Modern Standard Japanese. This paper first describes the structures involved, and then critically evaluates the most important interpretations that have been assigned to them. As a conclusion, a scenario by which the focus concord constructions may have evolved is proposed.