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영어

This article describes various meanings and functions of the Japanese adverb betsuni, and discusses the process of the semantic change of that from the point of subjectification. In summary, the semantic change of betsuni can be illustrated as below. Each stage of semantic change is a case of subjectification. Its acquisition of the function as an interjection represents an increase in subjective meaning. 1. Betsuni used with affirmative predicate means “besides”, “in addition”. This adverbial meaning is related to the lexeme betsu “another” and can be noticed that it derives from the adjective betsuno/betsuna as well. In this case, betsuni is synonymous with Japanese adverb hokani. 2. Betsuni used with negative predicate means “particularly”. As a stance adverb, a speaker uses it to emphasize his or her negation. It can be interchanged with Japanese adverb tokuni. 3. Betsuni is used alone as an interjection in response. In this case, betsuni may also carry expressive value as a mild refusal to the addressee. It expresses a negative emotional involvement by speakers as an interjection.