Pluralité et relations interpersonnelles en japonais : les suffixes nominaux

The paradigm tachi domo gata rа known as plural in contemporary Japanese is examined in contrast with other suffixes with a lexical meaning of collective. It is linked to the co-occurring paradigms of personal designatives and personal suffixes of address in the light of the more general system of inter subjectivity. Starting from the description of socio-enunciativity already proposed by Le Nestour, this system is further explored and described as generating agreement in language level. The paradigm of nominal suffixes is shown to be best classified in three categories "deference", "gentleness" and "rudeness". The contrast between the functioning rules in the realm of interpersonal relations and in the realm of objective description is assessed through the examination of collective and of the counting process. The realm and limits of the paradigm of plural suffixes is defined for each member of the paradigm. The many uses of ra are discriminated along the lines of interpersonal relations which provide a frame for further analysis of the grammar of Japanese. A glossary is provided to help with terminology.