The history of loan words in Japanese and their effect on the Japanese language

Throughout history, Japan has been a very isolated country. Periodically Japan has opened relations with other countries where both language and culture were heavily influenced. From Chinese influence since the 5th century until European influence a thousand years later, currently the biggest linguistic influence on Japanese is American English. Loan words from these influences can be found in all facets of Japanese life. In this essay I will examine the effect of loan words on the Japanese language. How is the language changing and are loan words assisting or hindering the evolution of the Japanese language? How does katakana affect the assimilation of loan words into Japanese? Are loan words a gain or a loss for the language as a whole? Does Japan have to take better care of its language and if so, how? It is certain that loan words have had an immense effect on the Japanese language and while some can be perceived as negative, the existence of loan words and language contact has been a catalyst for easier comprehension of the Japanese language and pushed it to evolve.

Author dc:creator

• Benedikt Gauti Þórdísarson 1991-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskóli Íslands

• Japanskt mál og menning
• Tökuorð
• Málsaga

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/23619

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/23619