Kotobagari: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Japanese term for euphemistic speech}} |
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{{italics title}} |
{{italics title}} |
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{{One source|date=January 2024}} |
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{{nihongo||言葉狩り|'''''Kotobagari'''''|"word hunting"}} refers to the reluctance to use words that are considered potentially offensive or [[political correctness|politically incorrect]] in the [[Japanese language]]. For instance words such as {{nihongo||癩|rai|"[[leper]]"}}, {{nihongo||盲|mekura|"blind"}}, {{nihongo||聾|tsunbo|"deaf"}}, {{nihongo||唖|oshi|"deaf-mute"}}, ''kichigai'' ({{lang|ja|気違い}} or {{lang|ja|気狂い}} "crazy"), {{nihongo||屠殺場|tosatsujō|" |
{{nihongo||言葉狩り|'''''Kotobagari'''''|"word hunting"}} is a sardonic term which refers to the reluctance to use words that are considered potentially offensive or [[political correctness|politically incorrect]] in the [[Japanese language]]. For instance words such as {{nihongo||癩|rai|"[[leper]]"{{efn|See [[Leprosy in Japan]]}}}}, {{nihongo||盲|mekura|"blind"}}, {{nihongo||聾|tsunbo|"deaf"}}, {{nihongo||唖|oshi|"deaf-mute"}}, ''kichigai'' ({{lang|ja|気違い}} or {{lang|ja|気狂い}} "crazy"), {{nihongo||屠殺場|tosatsujō|"slaughterhouse"}}, and {{nihongo||白痴|hakuchi|"moron/retard"}} are currently not used by the majority of Japanese publishing houses; the publishers often refuse to publish writing which includes these words. |
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Another example is that a school janitor in Japan used to be called a {{nihongo||小使いさん|kozukai-san|"chore person"}}. Some felt that the word had a derogatory meaning, so it was changed to {{nihongo||用務員|yōmuin|"task person"}}. Now ''yōmuin'' is considered demeaning, so there is a |
Another example is that a school janitor in Japan used to be called a {{nihongo||小使いさん|kozukai-san|"chore person"}}. Some felt that the word had a derogatory meaning, so it was changed to {{nihongo||用務員|yōmuin|"task person"}}. Now ''yōmuin'' is considered demeaning, so there is a shift to use {{nihongo||校務員|kōmuin|"school task member"}} or {{nihongo||管理作業員|kanrisagyōin|"maintenance member"}} instead. This pattern of change is an example of the linguistic phenomenon known as the "[[Euphemism#Euphemism_treadmill|euphemism treadmill]]". |
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Other examples of words which have become unacceptable include the replacement of the word |
Other examples of words which have become unacceptable include the replacement of the word {{nihongo||百姓|hyakushō}} for "farmer" with {{nihongo||農家|nōka}}. |
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Since World War II, the word ''[[Shina (word)|Shina]]'' ({{lang|ja|支那}}) for [[China]] written in [[kanji]] has been recognized as derogatory, and has been largely superseded by the Japanese pronunciation of the endonym, |
Since World War II, the word ''[[Shina (word)|Shina]]'' ({{lang|ja|支那}}) for [[China]] written in [[kanji]] has been recognized as derogatory, and has been largely superseded by the Japanese pronunciation of the endonym, {{nihongo||中国|Chūgoku}}, or with ''Shina'' written in [[katakana]] ({{lang|ja|シナ}}). |
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In the 1960s, the [[Sino-Japanese vocabulary|Sino-Japanese]] word {{nihongo||蒙古|Mōko}} meaning "[[Mongols|Mongol]]" was recognized for its connotation of a "stupid, ignorant, or immature" person (compare the English term |
In the 1960s, the [[Sino-Japanese vocabulary|Sino-Japanese]] word {{nihongo||蒙古|Mōko}} meaning "[[Mongols|Mongol]]" was recognized for its connotation of a "stupid, ignorant, or immature" person (compare the English term "[[Mongoloid]]"), and the ethnic group is now referred to by the katakana term {{nihongo||モンゴル|Mongoru}}.<ref>Bulag, Uradyn E. "Contesting the Words that Wound: Ethnicity and the Politics of Sentiment in China." ''Inner Asia'' 10.1 (2008): 87-111.</ref> |
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==''Kotobagari'' and ideology== |
==''Kotobagari'' and ideology== |
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{{original research section|date=October 2022}} |
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''Kotobagari'' has led to some confusing terminology. |
''Kotobagari'' has led to some confusing terminology. |
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[[NHK]], the Japanese Broadcasting Company, runs a [[Korean language]] study program, but the language is referred to as "[[Hangul]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.nhk.or.jp/gogaku/hangeul/|title=ハングルのテレビ番組・ラジオ番組 {{!}} NHKゴガク |author=NHK |website=www2.nhk.or.jp |language=ja |access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref> This is a result of both the North and South Korean governments demanding that the language be called by their respective preferred [[names of Korea|name of Korea]] |
[[NHK]], the Japanese Broadcasting Company, runs a [[Korean language]] study program, but the language is referred to as "[[Hangul]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.nhk.or.jp/gogaku/hangeul/|title=ハングルのテレビ番組・ラジオ番組 {{!}} NHKゴガク |author=NHK |website=www2.nhk.or.jp |language=ja |access-date=2017-06-08}}</ref> This is a result of both the North and South Korean governments demanding that the language be called by their respective preferred [[names of Korea|name of Korea]] suffixed with "language" ({{lang|ja|語}}). [[North Korea]] wanted the show to be called ''Chōsen-go'' or "''Chōsen'' language" ({{lang|ja|朝鮮語}}), taken from the Japanese pronunciation of the full name of North Korea, {{nihongo||朝鮮民主主義人民共和国|Chōsen Minshu Shugi Jinmin Kyōwakoku}} or "Democratic People's Republic of Korea". [[South Korea]] wanted ''Kankoku-go'' or "''Kankoku'' language" ({{lang|ja|韓国語}}) from {{nihongo||大韓民国|Daikan Minkoku}} or "Republic of Korea". |
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As a compromise, "Hangul" was selected and Korean is referred to as "the language on this program" or "this language", but this has led to the use of the neologism "Hangul language" ({{lang|ja|ハングル語}}) to refer to the Korean language |
As a compromise, "Hangul" was selected and Korean is referred to as "the language on this program" or "this language", but this has led to the use of the neologism "Hangul language" ({{lang|ja|ハングル語}}) to refer to the Korean language, which is technically incorrect since hangul itself is a writing system, not a language. |
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== Notes == |
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{{notelist}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Euphemisms]] |
[[Category:Euphemisms]] |
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[[Category:Censorship in Japan]] |
[[Category:Censorship in Japan]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Society of Japan]] |
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[[Category:Japanese vocabulary]] |
[[Category:Japanese vocabulary]] |
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[[Category:Japanese words and phrases]] |
[[Category:Japanese words and phrases]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:30, 7 April 2024
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (January 2024) |
Kotobagari (言葉狩り, "word hunting") is a sardonic term which refers to the reluctance to use words that are considered potentially offensive or politically incorrect in the Japanese language. For instance words such as rai (癩, "leper"[a]), mekura (盲, "blind"), tsunbo (聾, "deaf"), oshi (唖, "deaf-mute"), kichigai (気違い or 気狂い "crazy"), tosatsujō (屠殺場, "slaughterhouse"), and hakuchi (白痴, "moron/retard") are currently not used by the majority of Japanese publishing houses; the publishers often refuse to publish writing which includes these words.
Another example is that a school janitor in Japan used to be called a kozukai-san (小使いさん, "chore person"). Some felt that the word had a derogatory meaning, so it was changed to yōmuin (用務員, "task person"). Now yōmuin is considered demeaning, so there is a shift to use kōmuin (校務員, "school task member") or kanrisagyōin (管理作業員, "maintenance member") instead. This pattern of change is an example of the linguistic phenomenon known as the "euphemism treadmill".
Other examples of words which have become unacceptable include the replacement of the word hyakushō (百姓) for "farmer" with nōka (農家).
Since World War II, the word Shina (支那) for China written in kanji has been recognized as derogatory, and has been largely superseded by the Japanese pronunciation of the endonym, Chūgoku (中国), or with Shina written in katakana (シナ).
In the 1960s, the Sino-Japanese word Mōko (蒙古) meaning "Mongol" was recognized for its connotation of a "stupid, ignorant, or immature" person (compare the English term "Mongoloid"), and the ethnic group is now referred to by the katakana term Mongoru (モンゴル).[1]
Kotobagari and ideology[edit]
 | This section possibly contains original research. (October 2022) |
Kotobagari has led to some confusing terminology.
NHK, the Japanese Broadcasting Company, runs a Korean language study program, but the language is referred to as "Hangul".[2] This is a result of both the North and South Korean governments demanding that the language be called by their respective preferred name of Korea suffixed with "language" (語). North Korea wanted the show to be called Chōsen-go or "Chōsen language" (朝鮮語), taken from the Japanese pronunciation of the full name of North Korea, Chōsen Minshu Shugi Jinmin Kyōwakoku (朝鮮民主主義人民共和国) or "Democratic People's Republic of Korea". South Korea wanted Kankoku-go or "Kankoku language" (韓国語) from Daikan Minkoku (大韓民国) or "Republic of Korea".
As a compromise, "Hangul" was selected and Korean is referred to as "the language on this program" or "this language", but this has led to the use of the neologism "Hangul language" (ハングル語) to refer to the Korean language, which is technically incorrect since hangul itself is a writing system, not a language.
Notes[edit]
- ^ See Leprosy in Japan
References[edit]
- ^ Bulag, Uradyn E. "Contesting the Words that Wound: Ethnicity and the Politics of Sentiment in China." Inner Asia 10.1 (2008): 87-111.
- ^ NHK. "ハングルのテレビ番組・ラジオ番組 | NHKゴガク". www2.nhk.or.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2017-06-08.
Bibliography[edit]
- Gottlieb, Nanett (2006). Linguistic stereotyping and minority groups in Japan. Oxon: Routledge. ISBN 0415338034.