Case marking of objects of Stative predicates in Japanese*

Abstract

While the objects of most transitive predicates in Japanese are marked exclusively with the accusative case particle, those of many stative predicates can appear with either the accusative or the nominative particle. A variety of observations and explanations regarding this alternation have been put forward in the past. In this paper the focus of the discussion is on the role played by the degree of transitivity of the proposition in influencing the choice of object‐marking particle: the higher the transitivity, the more likely it is that the accusative particle will be used; the lower the transitivity, the more likely that the nominative will occur. The significance of factors such as the nature of the predicate and its inherent transitivity, the degree of intention of the subject, and the degree of individuation of the object are considered in particular. Two facets of the alternation—the fact that these objects can be marked nominatively at all, and the importance of the feature of intention of the subject—are discussed within the broader context of the characteristics of transitivity in Japanese.