The Japanese Language

This is a book about the structure, history and evolution of the Japanese language. The Japanese Language is a classic study of one of the world’s most widely used but least understood languages. Emphasizing the richness and complexity of Japanese as well as its limitations, this fine book provides a lively discussion about the uniqueness of the Japanese language. This book will interest anyone intrigued by one of the word’s most widely used and least understood languages. The relationship of Japanese to other languages is not well understood even by native speakers, and Professor Kindaichi sets out to define it.

Author Biography

Haruhiko Kindaichi, one of Japan’s most famous linguists, was a professor at Sophia University in Tokyo. He was also a well-known radio and television personality, having won the Cultural Broadcasting Award. Kindaichi has published numerous books on Japanese linguistics.

Umeyo Hirano was for many years a professor of English at Kyoto Women’s University and Osaka City University. She has lectured on Japanese language and literature at Columbia University. Her previous translations include Tsutsumi Chunagon Monogatari and Kurata’s Shinran.