The Indefinite Enclitic “<i>Bō</i>”

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  • 不定機能を持つ前接要素「某（ボウ）」
  • フテイ キノウ オ モツ ゼンセツヨウソ 「 ボウ(ボウ)」

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Abstract

<p>This paper focuses on the Japanese word “bō” (某: the equivalent of “X” in English, which can be used to denote an unknown or unspecified person or thing), examining its linguistic aspects such as syntactic features and semantic position to identify the origin of the term's function of indefiniteness. This paper will also consider the pragmatic effects produced by the use of “bō,” by comparing the term with “aru” (ある, equivalent to “a certain [something]” in English), which is synonymous with “bō.” The referent of “bō” is a proper noun, and the term is used to indicate that the proper noun is not revealed. The term “bō” does not have an inherently indefinite function and only denotes someone or something indefinite as a consequence of not revealing the proper noun. The syntactic features unique to “bō” include the following: it can be used repeatedly in the same form, it can be used in a subject, and it can be used in conjunction with “aru.” These syntactic features also serve as a basis for the semantic positioning of “bō.” The final part of the paper discusses the pragmatic effects that are produced by the use of “bō.”</p>

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