A proposal of a semantic description for different types of period-modifying phrases : Toward the development of semantic description by Event Projection Theory

“Event Projection Theory” (Iwamoto 2008) proposes a COMP (Composed of) function which delimits unbounded events and is contained within the conceptual structure of simple period modifying phrases (SP-modifying phrases) like “-kan”. However, the theory does not discuss the conceptual structure of operating period modifying phrases (OP-modifying phrases), such as “-kan kakete”, “-kan kakatte”, “-kan de”, modifying duration of bounded events. This study proposes that OP-modifying phrases also have COMP in their conceptual structure. However, this assumption leads to the following problem. Since OP-modifying phrases modify duration of bounded events and the COMP is applied to conceptual structures that already have the [+bounded] feature. However, [+bounded] feature cannot be delimited by COMP. Therefore, in order to apply the COMP to conceptual structure of bounded events, it is necessary to apply the un-delimiting function GR (Grinder) as a coercion. The process is outlined as follows. [(i)(1)Bounded event [+bounded] → (2)coecion (GR) [-bounded] → (3)OP-modifying phrase (COMP) [+bounded]] However, Iwamoto (2008) considers that the continuous application of inverse functions by coercion such as (i)(2) and (3) makes the information originally delimiting in (i)(1) meaningless and creates inappropriate conceptual structure. To address this issue, we propose that if the information originally delimiting in the conceptual structure is used for the calculation of the subsequently applied COMP, the information transfer will occur at the time of coercion, and the information will not become meaningless. This study proposes that the duration of operating period is calculated using the information of “limit point” where the event does not continue any longer. Therefore, we believe that when the COMP (OP-modifying phrase) in (i) is applied, the information of “limit point” delimiting in (i)(1) will be transferred for calculation of (i)(3), and the information does not become meaningless. As a result, the continuous application of inverse functions by coercion such as (i)(2) and (3) is acceptable.