ASIA 207
Exploration of Japanese Language and Culture: A Linguistic Journey Spring 2025
Division I
Cross-listed JAPN 207

Language is a fundamental tool for human interaction, embodying cultural values and shaping social realities. This course examines the intricate relationship between the Japanese language and the cultural beliefs, social structures, and daily life of Japanese society. Through in-depth analysis, we will explore how language not only reflects but also influences the ways in which Japanese people perceive and navigate their world. The course covers a range of topics, beginning with an exploration of polite language and the variety of personal pronouns, which illuminate the underlying hierarchies in Japanese society. We will also examine gendered language, youth slang, and queer Japanese, considering how these linguistic forms contribute to the construction of social identities. Additionally, we will analyze the role of language stereotypes in media–such as manga, anime, and television dramas–to understand their impact on cultural perceptions. The study of language policy and ideology will be incorporated as we discuss efforts to preserve and revitalize the Ainu and Ryukyuan languages, reflecting Japan’s approach to linguistic diversity. Our inquiry will also address the challenges of translation, particularly the cultural and semantic nuances that can be lost when converting Japanese prose into English. Throughout the course, students will engage with essential questions that shape the study of language and culture: How does language influence cultural practices, and how does culture influence language? How do social changes manifest in linguistic evolution? What are the dynamic interactions between language, society, and individual identity in Japan This course invites students to embark on a linguistic journey that connects language with cultural insight, offering an academic yet engaging exploration of Japan’s evolving society.