Interlinear Glossing in a Historical Perspective: A Case of Gradience in the Passive Voice in Japanese

Abstract

This paper examines cases where our common practice of interlinear glossing can be misleading in decoding typological data. Particular attention is paid to the Japanese passive voice, where the suffix -(r)are is believed to mark the passive voice. However, due to its polysemous nature, a previous assumption should be questioned. A hint can be found in its historical development, which can leave some residues forming gradience. Prescriptive grammar has been written at least partially for educational purposes, but the way it treats grammar sometimes obscures what an internal structure is really like. This paper also shows that a typological comparison can add valuable elements in discussing grammar in a single language.

Keywords

• interlinear glossing
• passive voice
• middle voice
• typology
• gradience