Nonconventional script choice in Japan

What is it about?

An outline of unconventional writing practices in Japan, including nonstandard spellings, the use of 'ruby' text to gloss words, the use of English (etc.) language and script, manga-style pleuds or ♥, high-school girls' gyarumoji, and emoticons. I look at the historical reasons for nonconventional writing, identify advertising and manga as its major modern sources, and apply Jakobson's functions of language (poetic, phatic, metalingual, and emotive) to analyse how the different writing devices actually function.

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Why is it important?

The paper not only describes the range of nonconventional writing devices in modern Japan, but proposes applying Jakobson's 'poetic', 'phatic', 'metalingual' and 'emotive' functions of language to explain the various ways in which nonconventional writing is used in Japan.