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ID: 100293

Multilingualism in Japanese public space: reading the signs / Backhaus, Peter

Backhaus, Peter	Journal Article
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Publication

2010.

Summary/Abstract

This paper looks at multilingual signs and what these signs have to tell us about multilingualism in Japan in general. Working with a larger sample of signs collected in central Tokyo, it is shown how these signs can be read to reflect larger transformations in Japanese society and its linguistic make-up at large. Four interrelated factors are identified as indicative of these transformations: (1) favourable attitudes toward foreign languages, (2) official internationalisation policies, (3) growing ethnicisation in some areas, and (4) a recent interest in Korean culture and language.

Key Words

Language ; Japan ; Korea ; Public Space ; Signs ; Multilingualism ;
Multilingual Signs

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ID: 100291

Public signs as narrative in Japan / Wetzel, Patricia J

Wetzel, Patricia J	Journal Article
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Publication

2010.

Summary/Abstract

Public signs (both advertising and informational) are analyzed here as narrative. This allows us to see the parallels between abbreviated texts in public spaces and extended discourse that has a long history of analysis. It also reveals parallels between literary and linguistic treatment of discourse. Included in the analysis is a description of how reference and indexicality function in the discourse we see all around us on what might be called 'the linguistic landscape', as well as how point of view operations, focalization, and voice are manipulated to authors' specific ends.

Key Words

Japan ; Advertising ; Narrative ; Signs

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