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Paper short abstract

This paper compares Japanese and Turkic agglutination, using Turkish as a model. It analyzes the structure of Turkish word forms in contrast with Japanese. By examining the lexeme-suffix opposition and the unifunctionality of grammatical markers, it offers insights into Japanese & general typology.

Paper long abstract

Japanese agglutination has more than once been compared to that of Turkic languages, thus justifying a closer comparative analysis of the morphological systems of these two language groups. Using Turkish as an example – owing to its status as the most extensively researched Turkic language and its highly transparent word structure – this paper presents the basic concepts of Turkic morphological description.

Particular attention is given to inflected parts of speech (nominal and verbal ones), their core grammatical categories, and the mechanisms of inflectional-form production. The analysis examines the opposition lexeme vs suffix, the rules of suffix ordering, as well as indicators of “connection strength” within synthetic forms, specifically vocalic and consonantal harmony (including formal stability and variability). Furthermore, grammatical markers are discussed in terms of their unifunctionality.

The study delineates the distinctions between synthetic and analytic forms, as well as between inflectional and derivative forms, while addressing the challenges inherent in their differentiation. Each element of the Turkish morphological system is contrasted with Japanese agglutination. Given its complex agglutinative morphology, Turkish serves as an effective comparative framework for both Japanese studies and general linguistic typology.

Select bibliography

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• Johanson, Lars: Turkic, Cambridge 2021: Cambridge University Press

• Johanson, Lars: The structure of Turkic — Lars Johanson, Éva Á. Csató (eds): The Turkic languages, London / New York 2022: Routledge, 26-59

• Kowalski, Tadeusz: Próba charakterystyki języków tureckich — Myśl Karaimska, 1945-1946, 23:1.35-73

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