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Tokieda Motoki and His Theory of ‘Language as Process’

Fuse, Naoki
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282137488

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, East Asian Languages and Literatures.
This thesis explicates the language-as-process theory (LAPT) (gengo katei setsu) developed by Japanese linguist Tokieda Motoki (1900-1967). The LAPT is a theory of language that views language as a mental process. The LAPT defines this mental process as action of expressing one’s own thinking as well as understanding the thinking of others. With this definition of language at its core, the theory includes three essential factors that condition language activity: shutai (a performing subject), bamen (relevant social and psychological context including addressee and attendant circumstances, etc), and sozai (contents to be spoken or written). Shutai’s expressive valuation of language and skills to realize valued expressions are also considered indispensable elements of language. It is also important in the LAPT’s system that there are two distinct standpoints in language phenomena: a subjective standpoint and an observational one. These ideas constitute the LAPT’s fundamentals. Consequently, the LAPT has a wide range of applicability to language phenomena. It deals with issues concerning language communication, and from there, it proceeds to explain the social nature of language in terms of interpersonal relations. It also treats literary works from the perspective of language activity. Finally, it theorizes the history of language as a history of language life. Although Tokieda’s theory has been well recognized and has received some criticism within Japanese linguistic circles, only a few studies that treat the theory have appeared in academic scholarship in English. George Bedell’s Kokugaku Grammatical Theory (1968), and Amanda Stinchecum’s Narrative Voice in The Tale of Genji (1985) are two of these. Some limiting issues, however, can be identified in both studies. The former focuses on grammatical ideas rather than the LAPT as the whole that it is. The latter applied core ideas of the LAPT such as its triadic preconditions for language to its analysis of narrative texts, but it goes beyond Tokieda’s approach to literary works. In order to better understand the essence of the LAPT, this thesis examines how its inventor, Tokieda Motoki, developed the theory, and some of the factors that influenced him. Tokieda began his study of the Japanese language around 1920 amidst a nationalistic fervor for language and its study in Japan. As early as 1924, he proposed a hypothesis in his graduation thesis that language is a process of expression. Utilizing ideas of phenomenology, Tokieda substantiated his hypothesis, and eventually in 1941, published Kokugogaku genron, ‘Principles of the Study of the Japanese language,’ in which he explicated the fundamental ideas of his theory of language. He continued to expand his theoretical framework while engaged in discussions of practical issues, such as language education and language policy. Finally, in 1955, he revealed a new system of the LAPT in Kokugogaku genron zokuhen, ‘Principles of the Study of the Japanese Language, a Supplementary Volume.’ Thus, the LAPT became a theory that situated itself in analyzing and understanding issues such as linguistic communication, the social nature of language, literature as language, language life, and the history of language.
Charles Quinn, PhD (Committee Chair)
Richard Torrance, PhD (Committee Member)
106 p.
Language; Linguistics; Literature; Philosophy
Tokieda Motoki; theory of language; kokugogaku

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Citations

  • Fuse, N. (2010). Tokieda Motoki and His Theory of ‘Language as Process’ [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282137488

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fuse, Naoki. Tokieda Motoki and His Theory of ‘Language as Process’. 2010. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282137488.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fuse, Naoki. "Tokieda Motoki and His Theory of ‘Language as Process’." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1282137488

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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