Abstract
This dissertation deals with syntactic properties of two distinct constructions, i.e., Modal Constructions and Applicative Constructions in Japanese under the cartographic approach. From the comparison with Chinese modal constructions, we find that despite the difference between two languages in terms of analyticity, headedness and modal systems on the predicate, both Japanese and Chinese display the same pattern of modal hierarchy; epistemics as the complementizer layer modals, deontics as the inflectional layer modals, and dynamics as the lexical layer modals. This three-tier syntactic analysis is attested by the correlations among multiple modal constructions, entailment relations, the interaction between modals and negation, the compatibility between modals and tense/aspect markers, as well as the demarcation effects associated with actuality entailment and ought-to-be modals. By the comparison with Chinese, some issues relating to subject specificity and modals in Japanese are also presented. It is demonstrated that the non-specific indefinites only occur in the inner subject position whereas the specific indefinites only occur in the outer subject position in Japanese as well. In addition, we also argue that some epistemic modals that are regarded as quasi modals in the traditional Japanese grammar are necessarily divided into two groups: one that is originated above TP and the other under the subject. Regarding applicative constructions, we discuss two types of adversity constructions in Japanese: adversity causative and V-te kureru constructions. Adversity causatives in Japanese are a type of middle applicatives. The subject is an Affectee, and it is affected by the end state when the complex predicate [embedded unaccusative + Appl –(s)ase] is formed. This complex predicate includes the ability to assign either a Causer or an Experiencer to its external argument. However, there are two conditions for its Experiencer role assignment: (i) unaccusativity of the embedded verb, and (ii) the possessive-like relationship between the Affectee (i.e., subject) and the theme. Spanish and Mandarin Chinese also have middle (affected) applicatives, which are associated with the vP phase. Meanwhile, the V-te kureru construction is a CP-related high applicative. Therefore, this construction holds some properties related to the left periphery, such as speaker-orientedness, the compatibility with non-agentive subject, and so on. Lastly, we combine the analyses on modals and applicatives together and draw one big picture, in order to present more precise and more detailed syntactic structure of Japanese matrix clause. It is demonstrated that the CP-related high applicative is located above the genuine epistemic modals; thus, when the verb kureru and the genuine epistemic modal co-occur, the adversative interpretation disappears. The proposed hierarchy on modals and applicative heads is [ne > yo > wa/ze > ApplPHigh > daroo > epistemics > ought-to-be modal > TP > ought-to-do modal > dynamic > Asp > ApplPMiddle > VP > ApplPLow > V].