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Programme: accepted abstracts

Abstract ID: 469

Part of General Paper Session (Other abstracts in this session)

Learning to Swear in Japanese: An Analysis of Popular Resources

Authors: Jackson, Lachlan Rigby (1); Kennett, Belinda (2)
Submitted by: Jackson, Lachlan Rigby (Ritsumeikan University, Japan)

Thanks to an increased understanding of the socio-cultural features and functions of languages, second/foreign language education has been able to move on from teaching de-contextualised ‘generic’ forms. Second language programs are now more conscientious about, for example, introducing different varieties of the target language and sensitising learners to the influences of context, power, gender, age, intimacy and purpose of both spoken and written forms. A considerable effort in Japanese as a Second Language (JSL) education has gone into the teaching of so-called ‘polite’ registers used in service interactions, and, for example, in contexts where there is social distance and where power relations are unequal. Some effort has also focussed on the teaching of casual registers. However, due to the limitations of time, the social environment of the classroom, and available learning materials, these foci have been afforded less attention. Not surprisingly, politeness has been prioritised over rudeness in formulating communicative goals for learners and, accordingly, swearing has been little discussed in relation to second/foreign language teaching. Stapleton (2010: p. 289) however, has argued that “swearing fulfils particular functions which are not easily accomplished through other linguistic means”, underscoring the need to recognise swearing as a legitimate “pragmatic resource” (Stapleton, 2010: p. 300). Further complicating the situation is the fact that Japanese is commonly said to be a ‘swearless language’ (Kosugi, 2010: pp. 30-31). Over the past 20 years, in order to supplement the rather conservative linguistic material exemplified in traditional textbooks on Japanese, however, a number of guides have been released to introduce learners to potentially offensive language, such as swearing. This paper challenges the myth that Japanese is a “swearless language”. Then, in relation to general literature on the form, function and use of swearing, we analyse several of these popular publications aimed at educating learners of Japanese in swearing. We evaluate their usefulness to learners and further address the issue of whether swearing should be formally introduced through the curriculum.

References:

Kosugi, H. (2010). Performative power of language: Japanese and swearing. Jurnal Teknosastik, 8(2). 30-37.

Stapleton, K. (2010). Swearing. In M.A. Locher and S.L. Graham (Eds.). Interpersonal pragmatics. (pp. 289-305). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.