Language and Society in Japan (Contemporary Japanese Society)

Nanette Gottlieb's comprehensive study considers the role of language in Japanese society, particularly in relation to the formation of national and personal identities. It covers important questions such as multilingualism, language and nationalism, language and technology, and literacy and reading habits. Written by a leading authority in this field, Gottlieb's work is essential reading for students and scholars wishing to know more about the Japanese language and the society in which it is spoken. "Language and Society in Japan deals with issues important to an understanding of language in Japan today, among them multilingualism, language and nationalism, technology and language, discriminatory language, and literacy and reading habits. It is organized around the theme of language and identity in particular the role of language in constructing national, international, and personal identities. Contrary to popular stereotypes, Japanese is far from the only language used in Japan, and the Japanese language itself does not function in a vacuum, but comes with its own cultural implications for native speakers. Nanette Gottlieb's book builds on and develops her previous work on different aspects of the sociology of language in Japan. It will be essential reading for students, scholars, and all those wanting to understand the role played by language in Japanese society."--Jacket Nanette Gottlieb's book considers the role of language in Japanese society in relation to identity formation. It covers important questions such as multilingualism, language and nationalism, and literacy and reading habits. Building on the author's previous highly regarded work, it will be essential reading for students and scholars