Help with particle choice? は instead of が in 私が商品おじゃない．．．

M

melissapaisley

後輩

13 Dec 2012

2

0

• 13 Dec 2012

• #1

So, I have written 私が商品おじゃない as meaning 'i am not an object' for a human trafficking poster set, using 商品 to indicate object as a commodity. I am having issues with the article following 私....my first thought was to use が for emphasis, but in recollection I am thinking to use は instead.

Any feedback about this particle issue or any other problems with the phrasing would be very much appreciated.

Thank you very much for your time!

 

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

Moderator

Fifteen-year veteran

22 Feb 2008

18,266

4,926

• 13 Dec 2012

• #2

私は商品じゃない is correct. 私が商品じゃない is used in a situation comparing "I" with a true commodity, for instance, 私が商品じゃない。彼女が商品だ。
If it's an affirmative sentence 私が商品だ, yes, が emphasizes 私 than は.

 

M

melissapaisley

後輩

13 Dec 2012

2

0

• 13 Dec 2012

• Thread starter
• #3

Oh, I understand now. Thank you :]

 

E

eeky

先輩

8 Jun 2010

2,431

22

• 13 Dec 2012

• #4

Is it ever possible for 私は～じゃない (where ～ is some noun) to suggest that the speaker is a ～?

 

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

Moderator

Fifteen-year veteran

22 Feb 2008

18,266

4,926

• 13 Dec 2012

• #5

With the rising intonation, yes it's possible (meaning something like "you know?").

 

E

eeky

先輩

8 Jun 2010

2,431

22

• 14 Dec 2012

• #6

Is it conceivable that anyone could make that interpretation when reading the written statement 私が商品じゃない, that's assuming no question mark, no spoken intonation to guide, and no other context?

 

Toritoribe

松葉解禁

Moderator

Fifteen-year veteran

22 Feb 2008

18,266

4,926

• 14 Dec 2012

• #7

I don't think so. This expression is used in a context, a flow of a conversation, so a single sentence usually doesn't be interpreted as that meaning.