The Languages of Japan and Korea

What is it about?

The Languages of Japan and Korea provides detailed descriptions of the major varieties of languages in the region, both modern and pre-modern, within a common format, producing a long-needed introductory reference source. The volume is divided into language sketches, the majority of which are broken down into sections on phonology, orthography, morphology, syntax and lexicon.

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Why is it important?

Korean, Japanese, Ainu, and three representative members of the main groupings of the Ryukyuan chain (Shuri Okinawan, Yaeyama Hatoma, Yonaguni) are discussed for the first time in great detail in a single work. As well as the modern standard languages, there are also chapters on Old and Middle Korean, Old, Classical and Middle Japanese, and chapters on the modern Korean dialects and modern Japanese dialects. There are also chapters introducing the areal and genetic relationships in the region.