The meta-language of politics, culture and integrity in Japan

• Authors: Junichi Kawata , Melinda Papp
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Words and phrases must be interpreted within the proper cultural and contemporary political and historical context. In particular, the language of politics is distinguished by the use of specific terms and phrases which often allude to other associated meanings. This means that caution must be exercised when interpreting the terms used not only within the context of the other language, but often also within its own linguistic context. The translator or commentator has to be familiar with the language code used in the given environment and within the cultural biases of that particular society so that meanings are not lost and the often crucial connotations are not misinterpreted. Political rhetoric often employs words and language in a manipulative yet frequently subtle manner. This paper analyzes examples of shifts in language code by looking at a number of cases in Japan and their cultural construction where loss of integrity and backstage practices are at stake.

Keywords

EN

language of politics; formal/informal; corruption; Japanese culture

• Publisher: Sciendo
• Journal: Human Affairs
• Year: 2013
• Volume: 23
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 246-254

Dates

published

2013-04-01

online

2013-03-28

Contributors

author

Junichi Kawata

• Osaka University

author

Melinda Papp

• ELTE University

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/s13374-013-0122-8