This paper will examine a speech act of apology in its social context.
According to Thomas (1995), a verb 'apologize' is classified into 'metalinguistic performatives', which are self-referential, self-verifying and non-falsifiable. Thomas, however, also argues that this act belongs to what she terms as 'collaborative performatives', which 'require, for their success, the 'collaboration' or particular uptake of another person' (1995:40) as well. An apology, for example, might not be interpreted as such if the hearer refuses to accept it as an apology.
The paper will examine this notion of 'uptake' in a specific case of Japanese (lack of) apology to British POWs for the atrocity shown to the POWs during the Second World War.
Thomas, J. (1995) Meaning in Interaction. London: Longman
In this talk, I will introduce some of the most basic assumptions of Generative (Transformational) Grammar (Chomsky 1957,1965, 1973, 1995). I will show (1) why "Chomskyan Revolution", the paradigm shift from structuralism to generative grammar in the mid-50s, was necessary, (2) some data anlysis and (3) several important theoretical consequences of the shift.