TheMaking of Monolingual Japan: Language Ideology and Japanese Modernity

Patrick Heinrich

Published by Multilingual Matters 2012

TheMaking of Monolingual Japan

Language Ideology and Japanese Modernity

Patrick Heinrich

In the series Multilingual Matters

https://doi.org/10.21832/9781847696588

Overview
Contents

About this book

Japan is regarded as a model case of successful language modernization. It is also often erroneously believed to be linguistically homogenous. This book explores the debates relating to language modernization from a language ideology perspective, and in doing so reveals the mechanisms by which language ideology undermines linguistic diversity.

Author / Editor information

Heinrich Patrick :

Patrick Heinrich is an associate professor at Dokkyo University, Japan. His research interests focus on language ideology, language endangerment, history of linguistics, and social aspects of foreign language learning. Recent publications include Higashi ajia ni okeru gengo fukko [Language Revitalization in East Asia] (co-edited with Shin Matsuo, Sangensha 2010), Language Life in Japan (co-edited with Christian Galan, Routledge, 2011), and Mezase! Ryukyu shogo no iji [In Pursuit of Ryukyuan Language Maintenance] (co-edited with Michinori Shimoji, CoCo Shuppan 2011). He is currently co-editing the Handbook of Ryukyuan Languages.

Reviews

In conclusion, this book is more than a welcome addition to recent monographs in English on language policy and language ideologies in Japan. Overall, Heinrich’s study convincingly narrates the formation of modern Japanese language ideology, drawing on a wide range of literature in Japanese, English and German. His sources include those that pay primary attention to historical developments within Japan and others anchored in language policy and ideology more broadly that serve to raise general theoretical concerns.

This book stands as a tribute to Heinrich’s lengthy research on this topic drawing on a large number and broad range of native sources. Heinrich’s first-hand observations on the current state of language policy in Japan, its effects on language revitalization movements and suggestions in regards to future discussion of and research related to language policy are invaluable resources for researchers who lack the time or resources to pursue this type of in-depth study on their own. He has obviously considered multiple viewpoints and come to logical and well-constructed conclusions in developing his own approach to this complex issue. Heinrich’s work smoothly carries the reader along a winding chronological storyline. Topics likely unfamiliar to non-linguists and those less well-versed in ideological study are skillfully presented with little ambiguity.

Dr Heinrich's book gives the Anglophone world information that was not easily available before. Now there are no excuses for sweeping claims about Japan and its language practices. With this book we have the detail to permit more nuanced assessment.

The study of ideologies of language diversity is key to any understanding of modern language ecologies. Patrick Heinrich's monograph investigates the modernization of Japanese, tracks the rise of Japanese linguism and reveals the myth of Japan as a monolingual nation. He takes an active stance towards the subjugation of the Ryukyuan languages as mere dialects of Japanese as well as the repression of the language of the autochthonous Ainu. This publication presents a thorough analysis of the current language situation of Japan and provides an important reading on the impact of language ideologies on language ecologies.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	v
Preface Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
1. Language Ideology as a Field of Enquiry Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. The Call of Mori Arinori to Replace Japanese Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	21
3. The Creation of a Modern Voice Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	42
4. The Unifi cation of Japanese Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	59
5. The Linguistic Assimilation of Ryukyuans and Ainu Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	83
6. The Most Beautiful Language in the World Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	107
7. Language Ideology as Self-FulfillingProphecy Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	122
8. Current Challenges to Modernist Language Ideology Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	150
9. Language Ideology in 21st-century Japan Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	172
References Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	183
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	202

Language: English
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
Pages
- Main content: 224

eBook

Published: February 10, 2012
ISBN: 9781847696588