Effect of digitization on the Japanese writing system

Japanese writing is formed by combining three different writing systems to create one overall system of language. On its most simple level, Japanese is broken up into kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Hiragana and katakana (collectively referred to as kana) are syllabic writing, meaning each character represents a syllable and are purely phonetic, even sharing the same set of syllables. In modern writing, hiragana is generally used for phonetically spelling out Japanese words, while katakana is usually used for foreign loanwords. While hiragana and katakana both act as more grammatical and structural elements, kanji is where all the vocabulary comes to life. Rather than acting as letters (like in the English language), each individual kanji character is an ideogram which must be memorized for both meaning and design. In order to sufficiently read the newspaper, over 3,000 different kanji need to be memorized, creating a very high barrier of entry into the language.

The development of the skill needed to not only read these kanji but also to write them is one that has been on the decline in Japan over the past few years. This is understandable as the character “utsu,” meaning depression, requires no fewer than 29 strokes to complete accurately. [1] One explanation for this is the advent of computers which have removed the burden of memorizing all of the characters by allowing individuals to simply look up the character needed instead of having to memorize every stroke for each character. A report in 2012 stated that “66.5% of Japanese surveyed believe their ability to write kanji characters has deteriorated due to the proliferation of cell phones and computers” and more specifically the advent of email. Nearly 80% of people surveyed in their 40s said technology was the root cause of the problem. [2] For many, this would seem like a welcome change, as after nine years of compulsory education, many Japanese could not write all 1,945 kanji required for general use. However, this is not the case for the Japanese who want to maintain the tradition of handwriting the characters. They fear that typing will bring about the anonymity of writing. [3]  Thus, writing would no longer be a strong indicator of one’s character and upbringing. This is a large part of Japanese culture and they are therefore hesitant to the idea of new technology, however productive, having an effect on their traditions.

References:

[1] Julian Ryall. “Japanese Losing Ability to Write ‘kanji’ Due to Emails.” The Telegraph. September 24, 2012. Accessed March 20, 2019. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/9563476/Japanese-losing-ability-to-write-kanji-due-to-emails.html.

[2] “Declining Kanji-Writing Skill Of Japanese Blamed On Cell Phones, Computers”. Japan Today. Sept. 2, 2012. https://japantoday.com/category/national/declining-kanji-writing-skill-of-japanese-blamed-on-cell-phones-computers.

[3] N. Gottlieb. Language policy in Japan. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012), pp.105-108.

Bibliography:

Stichting Oorlogsgetroffenen in De Oost – [News] Ashhi Newspaper Article on the 3 Japanese-Indo Offspring Visiting Japan. http://www.s-o-o.nl/Default/Contents/90.

Gottlieb, Nanette. Language Policy in Japan: The Challenge of Change. Cambridge University Press, 2012.

Hiroicci, SimondB, Yubaru, Alan, Thomas Anderson, VladK, Tori Chen, and Gw. “Declining Kanji-writing Skill of Japanese Blamed on Cell Phones, Computers.” Japan Today. September 21, 2012. https://japantoday.com/category/national/declining-kanji-writing-skill-of-japanese-blamed-on-cell-phones-computers.

Tokyo, Julian Ryall in. “Japanese Losing Ability to Write ‘kanji’ Due to Emails.” The Telegraph. September 24, 2012. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/9563476/Japanese-losing-ability-to-write-kanji-due-to-emails.html.