Linguistic Stereotyping and Minority Groups in Japan (Routledge Contemporary Japan Series)

This book is the first full-length study in English to examine the use of discriminatory language in Japan. As in other countries, there has been much debate about the public use of language deemed demeaning to certain groups within society especially in relation to the issue of minority rights versus freedom of speech. Adding a new dimension to the discussion of language and society in Japan, the book focuses on an aspect of language and power which highlights some of the dissent underlying Japan’s officially promoted ideology of a harmonious society. The text presents a revealing examination of the discriminatory language, known as sabetsu yogo, as identified by five minority groups, the Burakumin, the Ainu, people with physical or mental disabilities, women and ethnic groups within Japan 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 Language In Japan. Focusing On An Aspect Of Language And Power Which Illustrates Some Of The Dissent Underlying Japan's Officially Promoted Ideology Of A Harmonious Society, It Discusses The Use Of Linguistic Stereotyping In The Areas Of Status, Ethnicity, Gender And Disability, And Examines The Strategies Which Have Been Employed Against It.--book Jacket. Language And Representation, The Guidelines -- The Flow-on Effects -- Status Discrimination -- Ethnicity -- Disability -- Gender. Nanette Gottlieb. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. BOOK COVER......Page 1 HALF-TITLE......Page 2 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 7 INTRODUCTION......Page 8 1 LANGUAGE ANDREPRESENTATION......Page 12 2 THE FLOW-ON EFFECTS......Page 36 3 STATUS DISCRIMINATION......Page 60 4 ETHNICITY......Page 85 5 DISABILITY......Page 110 6 GENDER......Page 128 CONCLUSION......Page 146 NOTES......Page 150 REFERENCES......Page 153 INDEX......Page 166 This book examines linguistic stereotyping in Japan and the ways in which different marginalised groups have protested against it