DOI: 10.5176/2251-3566_L318.109
Authors: HO Chi Ming
Abstract: This paper aims to examine Kokugo (Japanese language) textbooks in primary school in Japan and find out what kinds of compound verbs are being frequently used in these textbooks. Also, the collocation of those compound verbs is being examined too. The compound verb in the Japanese language is one of the most complicated acquisition items for many Japanese language learners, and there is still no effective pedagogy for teaching compound verbs now. Due to the complex semantic structure and a huge number of members in the compound verb family, many Japanese teachers find it very difficult to teach compound verbs effectively in class. However, native speakers of Japanese usually do not consider compound verb is something very difficult because they acquire compound verbs in their L1 acquisition when they are young. The author suggests that it is a good idea to apply the experience of L1 acquisition in compound verbs by examining what kinds of compound verbs are introduced in primary school Japanese language textbooks. In this study, we have investigated the Kokugo textbooks published in 2012 for primary school level approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. As a result, the top 10 most frequently used compound verbs in primary school Kokugo textbooks and their collocation information are being revealed. The findings in this study will provide a hint for the future development of teaching pedagogy for compound verbs in teaching Japanese as a foreign language.
Keywords: compound verbs; Japanese language; frequency of usage; Kokugo textbook; primary school
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