Japanese Sign Language and Manually Signed Japanese: Usage and Prestige in the Japanese Deaf Community

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze the sociolinguistic domains in which Japanese Sign Language and Manually Signed Japanese have been used, and the prestige accorded to them inside and outside the Deaf community throughout history, putting their evolution through the years in relation with historical events and subsequent changes of ideologies and politics in the Japanese Deaf community. In particular, it aims to discover if the introduction of identity politics by D-groups first and the shift in politics and planning by the JFD afterwards led to a more widespread use and higher prestige of Japanese Sign Language, compared to the 20th century when Manually Signed Japanese was the dominant communication method. This work will be comprised of four chapters: Chapter 1 will provide an overview of the history of the Japanese Deaf community, and illustrate the current situation of the community as a linguistic minority. Chapter 2 will describe Japanese Sign Language, Manually Signed Japanese and other sign form and variation used in Japan. Chapter 3 will delve into a sociolinguistic analysis of the usage of Japanese Sign Language and Manually Signed Japanese as reported in academic literature, while Chapter 4 will present the findings of a questionnaire administered to Deaf people in Japan, investigating the usage and prestige of Japanese Sign Language and Manually Signed Japanese.