Proto-Chinese phraseological compounds in modern Japanese (problem statement)

Abstract

This article investigates proto-Chinese phraseological compounds, which hold a crucial position in the modern Japanese language, illustrating the long-standing history of cultural exchange between Japan and China. These compounds include phraseological expressions either directly borrowed from Chinese or developed within Japan based on Chinese linguistic patterns. They encompass both classical idioms derived from Literary Chinese and newer expressions that have emerged in response to contemporary societal changes.

Proto-Chinese phraseological compounds in Japanese (熟語, jukugo) can be seen as "time capsules", intricately connected not only to Chinese history, culture, and philosophical ideas, but also to the ethical, aesthetic, religious, and practical maxims of Chinese civilization. Furthermore, they are rooted in the specific grammatical structures of Classical Literary Chinese, which serve as the grammatical foundation for many of these expressions.

Using structural-grammatical and semantic analysis, this study identifies the main structural varieties of proto-Chinese phraseological units and provides a brief typological description of two- and three-component compounds. The article also outlines key research directions for further exploration of these linguistic phenomena. Special emphasis is placed on the functional and stylistic features of proto-Chinese phraseological units.

The article concludes that proto-Chinese idioms remain a dynamic and essential component of the Japanese language, evolving to meet modern communicative demands while preserving their historical and cultural significance as a vital element of Japanese linguistic heritage.