「『～として』再考」
Reconsidering the Meaning and Usage of the Postpositional Expression "to shite"
The purpose of this paper is to reconsider the meaning and usage of the postpositional expression "to shite" and the "N (noun) to shite..." construction, as in the following sentences.
(1) Watashi wa ryuugakusei to shite nihon ni kita.
(2) Nihonjin wa shushoku to shite kome wo tabete iru.
(3) Kyoto wa rekishi no furui machi to shite yuumei da.
(4) Doryoku suru koto wa ningen to shite touzen no koto da.
(5) Kare wa shigoto to shite zasshi ni nihongo no bunshou wo kaite iru.
(6) Seifu to shite taisaku wo kangaetai.
In this paper, I emphasize the following four points which result from the investigation.
(7) The "N to shite..." construction has six different types of meanings and usages, exemplified by (1) to (6) above.
(8) Two main functions of the "N to shite..." construction can be stated. One is to define something or someone's existence or behavior by setting a position or qualification of it. The other is to specify the meaning or significance of something by setting some point of view.
(9) As for the "N to shite" type of construction in (4) above, the postpositional phrase "N to shite" functions as the sentence modifier, establishing the point of view from which the meaning or significance of the subject is assessed.
(10) From the viewpoint of Japanese language education, the six different types of meanings and usages of the "N to shite..." construction must be addressed adequately in accordance with the learner's level and objective of study.