Japanese Grammar of Mind and Language (6) The Three-Layer Structure of Japanese Sentences: Proposition (Perception/Thought), Propositional Modality (Judgment/Attitude), and Interpersonal Modality (Communication)

[Summary]

In the "Global Japanese Grammar of Mind and Language," three categories are established as the functions of language: "Proposition/Descriptive Content (Perception/Thought)," "Propositional Modality (Judgment/Attitude)," and "Interpersonal Modality (Communication)." A "cluster of perception or thought" expressed as an object in language is called

"Proposition/Descriptive Content."

A subjective judgment or attitude toward "Proposition/Descriptive Content" is called "Propositional Modality."

The manner of conveying "Propositions" and "Propositional Modality" to the other party in a communication context (polite/non-polite, respectful/non-respectful, etc.) is called "Interpersonal Modality."

When we express our own thoughts, judgments, and attitudes as language, we use these three functions integrally.

Only when the three approaches of Proposition/Descriptive Content (Perception/Thought), Propositional Modality (Judgment/Attitude), and Interpersonal Modality (Communication) are combined can we fully verbalize our inner mental movements regarding various phenomena and share them with others.

A very important point in the relationship between linguistic expression and linguistic function is that a single expression can possess multiple functions simultaneously.

It is not the case that a certain expression possesses only one of the three functions: proposition, propositional modality, or interpersonal modality.

A Japanese sentence has a "manju" (steamed bun) structure, where the "proposition" filling is wrapped in two layers of skin: "propositional modality" and "interpersonal modality."

As a major characteristic of Japanese expressions, the function of interpersonal modality is remarkably stronger compared to other languages. Therefore, some expressions do not have propositional modality at all and only represent interpersonal modality.