Product Description

The public use of language deemed by certain groups within a society to be demeaning to their members has been widely debated in Japan, as in other countries. Such language is known in Japanese as sabetsu yogo(discriminatory language). Japan has no laws attempting to regulate the use of this language, nevertheless, debate on the use of sabetsu yogo has brought about some degree of awareness and modification of language use in differing arenas. These changes have not gone unquestioned; the issue of minority rights versus freedom of speech has been a subject of considerable debate in Japan and elsewhere. This book is the first full-length study in English of this aspect of Japan's linguistic landscape. Focusing on an aspect of language and power which illustrates some of the dissent underlying Japan's officially promoted ideology of a harmonious society, this book illustrates the use of discriminatory language identified by five minority groups: the Burakumin, the Ainu, people with physical or mental disabilities, women and ethnic groups within Japan.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4472755 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 158 pages

Review
Linguistic Stereotyping and Minority Groups in Japan...is a more satisfying read for scholars in the field of Japanese sociolinguistics. This is a sustained and detailed examination of the linguistic expression of one aspect of the reality underlying the image of Japan as a homogeneous and harmonius society: discriminatory language, linguistic stereotyping, and hate speech. - Tessa Carroll, Journal of Japanese Studies 34:2 (2008)

About the Author
University of Queensland, Australia