Anthropology
Event Title
Japanese Modernity and "Women's Language"
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Start Date
11-4-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 10:00 AM
Sponsor
Elise Edwards (Butler University)
Description
This cross-disciplinary study in sociolinguistics and anthropology focuses on the relation between language and the concepts of gender and class in Japan, putting the emphasis on the phenomenon of "women's language" – or joseigo (女性語) – and the constructed notion of Japanese modernity.
By showing how language is used as a political tool modeling personal and national identity, (self)representation and perceptions, as well as social and cultural constructs, the aim of this study is in the one hand to expose and question the various myths surrounding language in general and "Japanese women's language" in particular. This project traces joseigo back to its origins in the 19th century, works to understand why it emerged during that time, and attends to its continued relevance in today's world.
Contextualizing joseigo is crucial to fully grasp the sociocultural practices and meanings behind gendered language in Japan, and studying its usage and frequency provides an accurate view of its relevance in contemporary Japan.
Japanese Modernity and "Women's Language"
Indianapolis, IN
This cross-disciplinary study in sociolinguistics and anthropology focuses on the relation between language and the concepts of gender and class in Japan, putting the emphasis on the phenomenon of "women's language" – or joseigo (女性語) – and the constructed notion of Japanese modernity.
By showing how language is used as a political tool modeling personal and national identity, (self)representation and perceptions, as well as social and cultural constructs, the aim of this study is in the one hand to expose and question the various myths surrounding language in general and "Japanese women's language" in particular. This project traces joseigo back to its origins in the 19th century, works to understand why it emerged during that time, and attends to its continued relevance in today's world.
Contextualizing joseigo is crucial to fully grasp the sociocultural practices and meanings behind gendered language in Japan, and studying its usage and frequency provides an accurate view of its relevance in contemporary Japan.