修飾語としての「かわいい」とその修飾名詞

Abstract

本論文以近代之後的「かわいい」是如何使用，修飾的名詞有哪些，其特徵差異進行探討。此外，分析這些被修飾的名詞是否會因不同的表記而有所變化。 調查材料採用讀賣新聞的資料庫『ヨミダス歴史館』。針對出現次數、修飾名詞、表記進行調查。收集年代從1874年到2023年，每十年為一區間。並得出以下的結論。

1.整體的使用變化從1874年開始出現個位數的使用量，1991年漸漸增多，2001年到2010年達到高峰，其後下降。此數量的變化可能與1994年左右的「かわいい文化」有關聯。 2.從整體「かわいい」的修飾名詞來觀察，可以發現關於「人」的使用是最多的。此外，抽象名詞是從1971年開始漸漸使用，「声」是最先被使用的抽象名詞。 3.從表記來觀察可以發現，平假名「かわいい」是比較常被使用，其次是漢字「可愛い」，最後是片假名「カワイイ」。 4.各表記的修飾名詞在使用範圍上，有擴張的趨勢。依年代來看，平假名「かわいい」從具體名詞擴張到抽象名詞。漢字「可愛い」從原本的「人物」擴張到「植物」。片假名「カワイイ」從原本的「人物」擴張到「東西」。

This thesis explores how the term "kawaii" is used in modern Japanese society. It focuses on three key questions: (1) what nouns does kawaii modify? (2) what are the characteristics of the nouns modified by kawaii? and (3) does the spelling of "kawaii" (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji) affect the nouns it modifies? To answer these questions, the study uses the Yomiuri Shimbun's database (Yomidas Rekishikan) and examines "kawaii" occurrences, the nouns it modifies, and its different spellings from 1874 to 2023. Here are the main findings: 1.The usage of “kawaii” has evolved over time. The first use of it is in 1874 and started to increase from 1991, reaching its highest point between 2001 and 2010, followed by a decline, likely associated with the emergence of “kawaii culture” around 1994. 2.From the perspective of the overall "kawaii" modifying nouns, it can be observed that the usage related to "people" is the most common. In addition, the use of abstract nouns began in 1971, and "kawaii koe" was the first abstract noun to be used. 3.The most common way to express “kawaii” is in Hiragana (かわいい), followed by Kanji (可愛い), with Katakana (カワイイ) being the least common. 4.The different spellings of “kawaii” tend to describe a variety of things. Hiragana (かわいい) describes from specific to abstract nouns, Katakana (カワイイ) extends from describing people to things, and Kanji (可愛い) goes from describing people to plants.