1. On the Distribution of the Japanese wa and ga Floris van Vugt Images from the John Raylands Library http://rylibweb.man.ac.uk University College Utrecht Fall 2002 Linguistics

2. Scrambling But: verb-finalheadedness postpositions & case particlesparameter Today Yuka(nom) Ginza at sushi(-Acc) ate. Kyo Yuka-ga Ginza-de sushi-o tabeta. Yuka-ga kyo Ginza-de sushi-o tabeta. Kyo sushi-o Yuka-ga Ginza-de tabeta.

3. The Problem Particle Case -ga / -waNominative -noGenitive -oAccusative -niDative

4. John Austin Speech Act Theory That bird is a sparrow item predicate The direction of fit –“distinguishes that which is given from that which is produced” (Fiengo 9) What do you call that bird? Show me an example of a sparrow.

5. Examples QuestionAnswer Are wa nan to iu hana desu ka? What is that flower called? Are wa sakura desu yo. That is a cherry blossom. Sakura o misete kurenai? Could you show me a cherry? Are ga sakura desu yo. That is a cherry blossom.

6. Conclusion Japanese more context-dependent. –One possible sentence in English, but Several possible sentence in Japanese. More to be said.

7. The End Thank you for your attention. This presentation and the paper are available for downloading at http://vanvugt.cjb.net