【落合陽一】あのちゃんの「僕」、ビリー・アイリッシュの「だわ」、ジャムおじさんから『のじゃロリ』まで！実は多く潜む『役割語』名付け親の金水敏が謎の中国語「アルヨ」の起源、和訳問題、日本語の豊かさを解説

NewsPicks /ニューズピックス

28 Mar 202417:27

Summary

TLDRThis video script delves into the fascinating world of 'role language' in Japanese culture, exploring how specific speech patterns are associated with particular characters or social roles. It discusses the historical significance of Kansai dialect in Edo period Japan and its influence on modern Japanese language, including the use of different levels of politeness among men and women. The script also touches on the reproduction of role language in modern media, such as in anime and manga, and how it shapes perceptions of characters, using examples like 'Anpanman' and the contrast between traditional and contemporary language use.

Takeaways

📚 The script discusses the concept of 'role language' in Japanese, which are specific ways of speaking used to embody certain characters or personas.
🎭 It mentions that 'role language' is often used in fiction and can be associated with certain stereotypes, such as the use of Kansai dialect in Edo period Japan.
🗣️ The script touches on the evolution of Japanese language, particularly the shift from Kansai dialect to the Kanto dialect as the standard language in the Edo period.
👧👦 The differences in speech levels between men and women in Japanese are highlighted, with women having no 'ore' level equivalent and being expected to speak more formally.
👘 The historical context of 'role language' is explored, showing how it was established during the Edo period and how it has been reproduced in modern media like 'Anpanman'.
📽️ The script references the use of 'role language' in translations and how it can create a sense of incongruity if not properly adapted to the target culture.
🤖 It discusses the portrayal of characters in fiction, such as the use of certain speech patterns for elderly or young characters, and how these can affect the audience's perception.
🎨 The script talks about the impact of visual media on language, where the appearance of a character can influence the expected way they should speak.
📚 The role of literature, especially light novels, in the reproduction and evolution of 'role language' is mentioned, with the inclusion of illustrations being a key feature.
🌐 The script suggests that the use of 'role language' is a continuous process of reproduction and adaptation in modern culture, influenced by factors such as the internet and social media.
🔠 The script also delves into the nuances of written Japanese, where the choice of script (kanji, hiragana, katakana) can convey different levels of formality and character traits.

Q & A

What is the concept of '役割語' discussed in the script?
-役割語 refers to the specific way of speaking used to imagine a particular character, often seen in fictional works and historical depictions of language use.
Why is the term '博士' associated with an older image in Japan?
-The term '博士', meaning 'doctor' or 'Ph.D.', is associated with an older image in Japan due to traditional perceptions and the influence of fiction, where it is often used to describe elderly, knowledgeable characters.
How does the script mention the use of '役割語' in the context of 'アンパンマン' (Anpanman)?
-The script mentions that 'アンパンマン' heavily reproduces '役割語', with characters like 'ジャムおじさん' (Jam Uncle) and 'ドキちゃん' (Doki-chan) using stereotypical speech patterns for their respective roles.
What is the historical context of '役割語' during the Edo period mentioned in the script?
-During the Edo period, '役割語' was influenced by the Kansai dialect, which was brought to Edo by people from the west, including merchants and scholars, making it the authoritative language of the time.
How does the script relate the concept of '役割語' to modern Japanese language use?
-The script suggests that modern Japanese language use continues to reproduce '役割語', with certain phrases and expressions being associated with specific roles or characters, as seen in contemporary media like manga and anime.
What is the significance of the Kansai dialect in the historical development of '役割語'?
-The Kansai dialect was significant because it was the language of the influential people who moved to Edo to establish the new capital, thus becoming the standard language of the Edo period.
How does the script discuss the evolution of language in relation to '博士' and other roles?
-The script discusses the evolution of language by pointing out how the term '博士' and other role-specific speech patterns have been used and reproduced over time, reflecting societal changes and perceptions.
What is the role of media in the reproduction of '役割語' as mentioned in the script?
-Media, including manga, anime, and novels, plays a significant role in the reproduction of '役割語' by using specific speech patterns for characters, reinforcing stereotypes and historical language use.
How does the script address the issue of translating '役割語'?
-The script addresses the issue by giving an example of translating 'ビリーアイリッシュ' (Billy Irish), where a direct translation using female speech patterns created a sense of incongruity, highlighting the challenges in translating '役割語'.
What is the script's perspective on the future of '役割語' in Japanese language and culture?
-The script suggests that '役割語' will continue to evolve and be reproduced in Japanese language and culture, influenced by media and societal changes, and that it is a part of the ongoing postmodern condition.

Outlines

00:00

🗨️ Role Language in Japanese Culture

This paragraph discusses the concept of 'role language' in Japan, which refers to specific speech patterns associated with certain characters or roles. It mentions how this is particularly evident in the Kansai dialect, which was influential during the Edo period. The speaker also touches on the modern reproduction of role language in media like Anpanman, where characters use stereotypical speech patterns. The paragraph introduces the guest, Mr. Kanai, an expert in Japanese grammar and role language, and discusses the challenges of translating role language, as seen in the website 'Voice of Japan', where the translation of 'Billy Irish' into stereotypical feminine language created a sense of incongruity.

05:02

🎭 Edo Period Language and Generational Shifts

The second paragraph delves into the linguistic changes during the late Edo period, highlighting the rise of the Kanto dialect and its influence on the language of different social strata. It discusses how certain phrases became associated with age groups, such as the elderly using 'Ji' and the younger generation using 'Da'. The speaker also reflects on the perception of the term 'doctor' in Japanese culture, influenced by fiction and the media, and how this has led to a continued association of doctors with older individuals, despite the reality of many young people obtaining doctoral degrees.

10:03

📚 Evolution of Role Language and Modern Expressions

This paragraph explores the evolution of role language and its modern manifestations. It discusses how traditional role language has been layered with modern patterns, leading to a postmodern state where these expressions are constantly reproduced and adapted. The speaker mentions the influence of the 'Otaku' culture and how it has impacted language use, as well as the emergence of new role language patterns in the 2000s. The paragraph also touches on the use of role language in fiction and its potential to create a sense of incongruity when characters use archaic expressions that do not align with their actual age.

15:04

🌐 Gendered Language and Societal Expectations

The final paragraph examines the societal constraints on gendered language in Japan, suggesting that women are expected to maintain a polite and formal level of speech, which can be seen as a form of 'limiter' or 'curse'. It discusses the historical establishment of male and female language roles in the context of the modern Japanese state and how these roles are being challenged in postmodern times. The speaker also reflects on the impact of translation on role language, using the example of 'Billy Irish', and how certain expressions may seem odd when translated into gendered speech patterns that do not fit the character's actual identity.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡役割語

役割語, or 'role language', refers to specific speech patterns or expressions used to embody particular characters. In the video's context, it's discussed in relation to how certain phrases are associated with certain types of characters, such as the 'お嬢様' (young lady) speech style. The script mentions how this role language is used in fiction and historical contexts, such as in Edo period Japan where certain dialects were associated with authority figures.

💡関西弁

関西弁, or 'Kansai dialect', is a regional dialect of Japanese spoken in the Kansai region, which includes Osaka. The script discusses how this dialect was once considered an authoritative language during the Edo period due to the influence of people from western Japan who held significant cultural and political power. It's also mentioned as an example of how certain role languages are associated with specific social classes or regions.

💡ジェンダー言語

ジェンダー言語, or 'gender language', pertains to the different speech patterns and expressions used by men and women in Japanese. The script explores how these differences are ingrained from a young age and how they reflect societal expectations and norms. For example, the script mentions how certain expressions like '素敵だわ' ('how wonderful') are characteristic of female speech.

💡ポストモダン

ポストモダン, or 'postmodern', refers to a cultural and intellectual movement that challenges the assumptions of modernism. In the context of the video, it's used to describe the current state of role language in Japan, where traditional patterns are being subverted and reinterpreted in contemporary media like manga and anime, leading to a more fluid and complex understanding of character speech.

💡博士

The term '博士' ('doctor' or 'Ph.D.') is discussed in the script in relation to societal perceptions and stereotypes. It mentions how in Japanese fiction, the term is often associated with elderly characters, reflecting a traditional view that contrasts with the reality of many young people obtaining doctoral degrees today.

💡方言

方言 refers to regional variations in language, which can include differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The script discusses how certain dialects, like the Kansai dialect, were once considered prestigious and authoritative, but how language use has evolved over time to reflect changes in social structure and cultural values.

💡アンパンマン

アンパンマン, or 'Anpanman', is a popular Japanese manga and anime series mentioned in the script as an example of how role language is reproduced and reinterpreted in modern media. The characters in Anpanman use various forms of speech that reflect their personalities and roles within the story, showcasing the ongoing evolution of character speech in contemporary culture.

💡戦前と戦後

戦前と戦後, meaning 'pre-war and post-war', refers to the periods before and after World War II in Japan. The script uses this term to discuss the historical development of role language and how it has been shaped by significant societal changes, including the shift from traditional to more modern forms of expression.

💡キャラクター

キャラクター, or 'character', is a central concept in the script's discussion of role language. It refers to the unique traits, behaviors, and speech patterns that define individuals in fiction. The script explores how characters' speech is used to convey their identity and role within a narrative, with examples from various forms of media.

💡再生産

再生産, or 'reproduction', in the context of the script, refers to the way in which certain linguistic patterns and expressions are continually used and perpetuated in media and society. It discusses how role language is not only a reflection of historical and cultural influences but also a living, evolving aspect of communication that is constantly being reproduced and adapted in new contexts.

💡オタク

オタク, or 'otaku', is a term used to describe people who are passionate about specific hobbies or interests, often related to anime, manga, or other aspects of Japanese pop culture. The script mentions the 'otaku' generation as a driving force behind the evolution of role language and the playful experimentation with character speech in various forms of media.

Highlights

役割語 is a specific way of speaking used when imagining a particular person or role.

The use of ですわ and んのじゃ博士 suggests a Kansai dialect influence on Edo period language.

Anpanman is a major example of role language reproduction, with characters like Jam Ojisan and Dokin-chan using stereotypical speech patterns.

Female speech patterns are deeply ingrained from a young age, as seen with phrases like あら素敵だわ.

The contrast between male and female speech levels in Japanese, with men having distinct levels like 僕俺 and 私.

Female speech does not have a 僕俺 equivalent, reflecting social expectations for women to always speak modestly.

The historical development of role language in Japan, starting from the Edo period with the influence of Western Japanese dialects.

The shift from Kansai dialect as the standard in Edo to the rise of Eastern dialects like Kanto in later periods.

The use of じ and だ in literature to represent generational and social differences, with older characters using じ and younger ones using だ.

The modern perception of doctors in Japan, still influenced by old stereotypes of them being elderly, despite the reality of many young doctors today.

The impact of fiction and manga on shaping the Japanese language and role language, with characters like Astro Boy's doctor.

The evolution of role language in the postmodern era, with patterns from the Edo period layered with modern role language.

The use of role language to create character distinctions in modern media like anime, manga, and light novels.

The importance of visual cues in understanding role language, with character design and illustrations reinforcing speech patterns.

The potential for subverting role language expectations in translation, as seen with the translation of Billie Eilish's speech into overly feminine Japanese.

The ongoing reproduction and evolution of role language in Japanese media and society.

The unique aspects of the Japanese language that allow for detailed character differentiation through speech patterns and writing styles.

The challenges of translating role language into other languages, as the nuances and cultural connotations may not carry over.