Principles of Japanese Discourse: A Handbook

by Senko K. Maynard

This is the first book on Japanese rhetorical style and strategy ever made available for English readers. Professor Maynard presents, in thirty entries, clear explication of Japanese discourse organization and detailed analysis of the rhetorical strategies used. Also included are practice readings selected from contemporary Japanese discourse, including essays, newspaper columns, a short story, a comic and an advertisement, with translations and wordlists. A helpful self-study guide, it is also an excellent reference source for students and instructors of Japanese.

Genres: Japan

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 1998

About the author

Senko K. Maynard is professor of Japanese language and linguistics at Rutgers University. She received her bachelor's degree from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and her doctorate in linguistics from Northwestern University. She has published extensively in the field of Japanese linguistics, especially in the area of discourse analysis and conversation analysis. Among her books are Japanese Conversation: Self-contextualization through Structure and International Management (1989), An Introduction to Japanese Grammar and Communication Strategies (1990), and Discourse Modality: Subjectivity, Emotion and Voice in the Japanese Language (1993). Author of numerous articles in Japanese, U.S., and international scholarly journals, Professor Maynard is the founding and current editor of Japanese Discourse: An International Journal for the Study of Japanese Text and Talk.

Reviews

[Phil Yff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A student of Japanese who has acquired a significant vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures might still have trouble putting this knowledge to practical use. "Principles of Japanese Discourse" by Senko K. Maynard is an invaluable tool to help such students harness the power of the language they have already acquired and help them reach the next level.
The book uses interesting examples taken from sources ranging from the Japanese constitution, literature, newspapers, novels, and popular literature including comics. It compares the manner in which Japanese authors present their ideas in contrast to English prose.
While instructing the reader on how to best assimilate Japanese prose, the book provides rich insight into Japanese conceptual thought and culture. I recommend it highly. In fact, I consider it a must-read for any student of Japanese who wants to appreciate prose from manga to mysteries to Mishima.