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Pat MaherWe Speak Unique:Folk Linguistic Perceptions and Attitudes of Dialect in Japan

Introduction: Research AreaPerceptual Dialectology

Dialect in Japan

Perceptual vs. Production Based-Data

Dialect Identity

Aims/JustificationStudy of dialect primarily production data-based

Perceptual dialectology primarily focused on national level

Regionally focused perceptual dialectology has both confirmed and expanded on production data-based studies

Calls for dialect identity studies in JapanPerceptions of where AND what constitutes standardHow far does the area of my dialect expand?How does ones dialect identity determine perceptions?

ReferencesBenson, Erica J. (2003). Folk Linguistic Perceptions and the Mapping of Dialect Boundaries. American Speech, 78, 3, 307-330.

Inoue, F. (1995). Classification of Dialects by Image: English and Japanese. In Preston, D.R. (1999). Handbook of Perceptual Dialectology, Vol. 1 (pp. 147-159). Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Iwamoto, M. (1983). (Dialects of Miyazaki Prefecture). Miyazaki University. http://www.miyazaki-c.ed.jp/himukagaku/unit/yume_05/page3.html

Long, D. (1997). The Perception of Standard as the Speech Variety of a Specific Region: Computer-Produced Composite Maps of Perceptual Dialect Regions. In Thomas, A. (1997). Current Methods in Dialectology (pp. 256-270). Bangor: University of Wales.

Long, D. (1999). Mapping Nonlinguists Evaluations of Japanese Language Variation. In Preston, D.R. (1999). Handbook of Perceptual Dialectology, Vol. 1 (pp. 199-226). Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Mase, Y. (1964). Dialect Consciousness and Dialect Divisions: Examples in the Nagano-Gifu Boundary Region. In Preston, D.R.(1999). Handbook of Perceptual Dialectology, Vol.1 (pp. 71-99). Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Preston, D. (1988). Methods in the Study of Dialect Perceptions. Methods in Dialectology, 373-395.

Sibata, T. (1959). Consciousness of Dialect Boundaries. In Preston, D.R. (1999). Handbook of Perceptual Dialectology, Vol.1 (pp. 39-62). Amsterdam: Benjamins.

Research QuestionsHow do perceptions of regional dialect boundaries compare with prior production data-based dialect boundaries?How do perceptions of national dialect boundaries compare between Miyazaki and Aichi Prefecture respondents?What similarities/differences in attitudes do Miyazaki and Aichi Prefecture respondents show in regards to:Standard Japanese Where and WhatCorrectness & Pleasantness of Dialects throughout JapanCorrectness & Pleasantness of Personal DialectUniqueness of Personal Dialect

Methodology (Subjects)30 Subjects from Miyazaki PrefectureHave lived in Miyazaki from at least age 5Miyazaki University Students (age 18-22)15 Male & 15 Female

30 Subjects from Aichi PrefectureHave lived in Aichi from at least age 5Chubu University Students (age 18-22)15 Male & 15 Female

Subjects have no educational background in the study of dialect

Methodology (Materials/Instruments)Regional Dialect StudyPerceptual Map TaskDegree-of-Difference Task

National Dialect StudyPerceptual Map TaskIdentify Standard Japanese AreaDegree-of-Correctness/Pleasantness Task

Dialect Identity StudyFocus Group Interviews

Methodology (Materials/Instruments)

Methodology (Materials/Instruments)

Methodology (Procedure)Regional Dialect StudyStudents asked to demarcate areas where people speak similarly or differently (drawing lines, circles, etc.)Students asked to label each area (name, descriptor, etc.)Students complete degree-of-difference task20 pre-selected cities in and around each respective prefectureGive each city a rank between 1-41: Speak exactly like me2: Speak a little differently3: Speak somewhat differently4: Speak quite differently

Methodology (Procedure)National Dialect StudyStudents asked to demarcate areas where people speak similarly or differently (drawing lines, circles, etc.)Students asked to label each area (name, descriptor, etc.)Students identify area(s) where Standard Japanese is spokenDegree-of-Correctness/Pleasantness Task:Give each demarcated area a rank between 1-4:

CorrectnessPleasantness1: Proper Japanese1: Very Pleasant2: Mostly Proper2: Somewhat Pleasant3: Not Very Proper3: Not Very Pleasant4: Not Proper4: Not PleasantMethodology (Procedure)Dialect Identity Study (Number of Subjects Undecided)At least a week after perceptual map tasks have been completedFocus group interviews to ask questions about maps and illicit:What do respondents feel constitutes Standard Japanese?How conscious are respondents of others dialects?How conscious are respondents of their own dialects?How correct do respondents view their own dialects?How do respondents feel others view their own (respondents) dialects?How widespread or limited do respondents view their Dialect Area?and probably more in aiming to paint a picture of dialect identityMap results will have great bearing on direction of interviews

Methodology (Data & Analysis)Regional perceptual maps averaged into consensus maps Consensus maps compared with production data-based maps for each region respectivelyRegional degree-of-difference task figures averagedFigures analyzed to measure perceptions of my dialect areaNational perceptual maps averaged into consensus maps Miyazaki and Aichi consensus maps comparedNational degree-of-correctness/pleasantness figures averagedMiyazaki and Aichi figures comparedFocus group interview data transcribedSimilarities/Differences between Miyazaki and Aichi respondents discussedAnticipated Problems/LimitationsUnfamiliarity/unawareness of language variationGuessing rather than expression of perceptions on map tasksAbundance of outliersInability to create consensus perceptions for areasLack of accessible subjects for Miyazaki focus groupsSilence/unwillingness to contribute opinions in focus groupsConforming to opinions of others during focus groupsToo much data

Expected FindingsRegional dialect boundary perceptions will be similar to production data-based boundaries, but more detailed

Miyazaki respondents will perceive a greater degree of difference in their region than Aichi respondents

Miyazaki respondents will perceive a larger area for Standard Japanese than Aichi respondents

Miyazaki respondents will perceive Standard Japanese as more correct/pleasant than Aichi respondents

Expected Findings (continued)Aichi respondents will perceive a larger my dialect area than Miyazaki respondents

Miyazaki respondents will perceive their respective dialects as more unique compared to Aichi respondents

I look forward to your constructive feedback. Have a lovely day.