Tension between the “internal” [uchi] and the “external” [soto] as the forming principle of the Japanese language

MATELA, Jiří. Tension between the “internal” [uchi] and the “external” [soto] as the forming principle of the Japanese language (Tension between the “internal” (uchi) and the “external” (soto) as the forming principle of the Japanese language). In Jazyková pestrost současné Evropy. 2022.

Basic information

• Original name: Tension between the “internal” [uchi] and the “external” [soto] as the forming principle of the Japanese language
• Name in Czech: Pnutí mezi "vnitřním" a "vnějším" jako tvůrčí princip japonského jazyka
• Name (in English): Tension between the “internal” (uchi) and the “external” (soto) as the forming principle of the Japanese language
• Authors: MATELA, Jiří.
• Edition: Jazyková pestrost současné Evropy, 2022.

Other information

• Original language: Japanese
• Type of outcome: Presentations at conferences
• Field of Study: 60203 Linguistics
• Country of publisher: Czech Republic
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: Webová stránka Francouzského institutu, jenž akci spolupořádal
• Organization unit: Faculty of Arts
• Keywords (in Czech): japonština; uči a soto; písmo; lexikum; gramatika; jazyková politika
• Keywords in English: Japanese; uchi and soto; writing; lexicon; grammar; language policy
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

In the present talk I will borrow the conceptual dichotomy of uchi and soto (“internal” and “external”), commonly used in anthropological approaches to Japanese culture and society, and I will present the tension between the internal and external pressures as in fact one of the main forming mechanisms leading to the form of the present-day Japanese. I will argue that the effects go far beyond the structural changes within the lexicon or grammar (i.e., the abstract system), as they are to be seen in the area of textual genres as well. Finally, the tension between uchi and soto aspects of language contact includes the language policies and social discourse regarding the position of the Japanese language in the context of its use.

Abstract (in Czech)

V tomto svém příspěvku využiji opozici pojmů uči a soto („vnitřní“ a „vnější“), běžně užívanou v antropologických přístupech k japonské kultuře a společnosti. V aplikaci na japonský jazyk představím pnutí právě mezi vnitřními a vnějšími faktory jako jeden ze základních tvůrčích principů, jež vedly k současné podobě japonštiny. Pokusím se představit a obhájit tvrzení, že vlivy tohoto pnutí dalece přesahují strukturní vývoj lexika či gramatiky (tj. abstraktního jazykového systému) a zasahují též do oblasti textových žánrů. Kromě toho poukážu na skutečnost, že rysy vztahů mezi uči a soto v jazykovém kontaktu zahrnují také jazykovou politiku a společenský diskurs týkající se pozice japonštiny v jejím přirozeném prostředí.

Abstract (in English)

In the present talk I will borrow the conceptual dichotomy of uchi and soto (“internal” and “external”), commonly used in anthropological approaches to Japanese culture and society, and I will present the tension between the internal and external pressures as in fact one of the main forming mechanisms leading to the form of the present-day Japanese. I will argue that the effects go far beyond the structural changes within the lexicon or grammar (i.e., the abstract system), as they are to be seen in the area of textual genres as well. Finally, the tension between uchi and soto aspects of language contact includes the language policies and social discourse regarding the position of the Japanese language in the context of its use.