Each society has a mechanism of avoiding factual or language behavior that may cause social problems or frictions. Problems could be provoked, for example, by the use of words that the community may consider breaking social conventions. Needless to say, words to be avoided, or taboo-words, may vary according to the specific cultural community – e.g. a whole country or a group of people linked by specific usages – as well as to a specific historical period. Japan and the Japanese language are not an exception to this general statement. In my paper I will investigate some elements specific to the Japanese case and analyze the influence of Western “politically correct” policies on Japanese linguistic behavior in mass media. Cultural heritage, together with international and “universal” influences more recently permeated from abroad, seem to contribute to the formation and evolution of speech strategy in social context. In a country like Japan, inspired by pragmatism, and, at the same time, by a formal respect of rules, this problem is a crucial one. Broadcasting and newspaper companies have developed practical strategies (guidelines and almost secret lists of not-to-be-used words) to avoid public blame and criticism by general readers, organized groups, and lobbies offended by unsuitable language. This paper gives an account of the mass media behavior and a quick look into their inner strategies.

Kinshi yōgo. Euphemism and Forbidden Words in Japanese Mass-Media.

CALVETTI, Paolo
2010-01-01

Abstract

Each society has a mechanism of avoiding factual or language behavior that may cause social problems or frictions. Problems could be provoked, for example, by the use of words that the community may consider breaking social conventions. Needless to say, words to be avoided, or taboo-words, may vary according to the specific cultural community – e.g. a whole country or a group of people linked by specific usages – as well as to a specific historical period. Japan and the Japanese language are not an exception to this general statement. In my paper I will investigate some elements specific to the Japanese case and analyze the influence of Western “politically correct” policies on Japanese linguistic behavior in mass media. Cultural heritage, together with international and “universal” influences more recently permeated from abroad, seem to contribute to the formation and evolution of speech strategy in social context. In a country like Japan, inspired by pragmatism, and, at the same time, by a formal respect of rules, this problem is a crucial one. Broadcasting and newspaper companies have developed practical strategies (guidelines and almost secret lists of not-to-be-used words) to avoid public blame and criticism by general readers, organized groups, and lobbies offended by unsuitable language. This paper gives an account of the mass media behavior and a quick look into their inner strategies.
2010
Censure, Autocensure et Tabous. Actes du quatrième colloque de l’Université de Strasbourg
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10278/29777
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