LANGUAGE IN JAPANESE SOCIETY
Enhances knowledge of and sensitivity towards social factors that influence how Japanese language is used in different contexts. Topics include language standardization and policies, dialects, gender differences, multilingualism, translation, and impact of technology on language. In addition to discussing books and articles on these subject matters, engage in the collaborative analysis of actual examples of Japanese language use taken from everyday interactions, interviews, traditional and social media discourse, popular culture, and public signage, among others. Through this process, evaluate critically taken-for-granted beliefs and assumptions about the Japanese language and its users; examine how particular beliefs and assumptions have been established, maintained, and challenged; and make informed choices in adopting different styles of language and in positioning themselves in a Japanese speech community. Not open to students with credit for E ASIAN 358 prior to Fall 2019.
Topics
- language standardization and policies
- dialects
- gender differences
- multilingualism
- translation
- and impact of technology on language
Topics explicitly listed in official catalogue description
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: ASIALANG 104 , 356 , or placement into ASIALANG 203 Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Humanities or Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. think critically about sociocultural and sociolinguistic factors that contribute to the construction of various genres of spoken and written language Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. think critically about taken-for-granted beliefs and assumptions about the Japanese language and its users and inquire into the process of their construction Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. make informed choices in adopting different styles of language and in positioning themselves in a Japanese speech community Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. state and support their perspectives on sociolinguistic matters while acknowledging diverse viewpoints Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. understand key sociolinguistic concepts, theories, and methodologies discussed in academic articles and apply them to examine a variety of examples of language use Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. evaluate strengths and weaknesses of published research and develop ideas for future research Audience: Graduate 7. evaluate how sociolinguistic matters are treated in language textbooks and classroom instruction and make suggestions for improvement Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. think critically about sociocultural and sociolinguistic factors that contribute to the construction of various genres of spoken and written language Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. think critically about taken-for-granted beliefs and assumptions about the Japanese language and its users and inquire into the process of their construction Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. make informed choices in adopting different styles of language and in positioning themselves in a Japanese speech community Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. state and support their perspectives on sociolinguistic matters while acknowledging diverse viewpoints Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. understand key sociolinguistic concepts, theories, and methodologies discussed in academic articles and apply them to examine a variety of examples of language use Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. evaluate strengths and weaknesses of published research and develop ideas for future research Audience: Graduate 7. evaluate how sociolinguistic matters are treated in language textbooks and classroom instruction and make suggestions for improvement Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027