Translation Aspects of Western Language Theory in Modern Japan and Korean Studies

This paper aims to discuss the impact of translations of Western language theory on Korean studies in post-Meiji Japan. As Ueda(上田万年) recalls, inspired by the work of Gabelenz, the introduction of Western language theory into modern Japanese studies was intended to import advanced linguistic theories within the context of early oralism. Specifically, Western language theory sought to resolve the "national language/national character" issue and, by discovering valuable insights from the history of Japanese language research, to aid in the establishment of a so-called "national language" ideology. In this process, evolutionary linguistic history and theories of language development attracted scholarly attention, fueling not only native language studies based on Western "comparative linguistics" and "historical linguistics" but also the study of languages under imperial colonial rule. A review of the numerous "prefaces" and "suggestions" included in these translations reveals that these translations, along with the introduction of these theories, contributed to the formation of a "national language ideology" centered around Japanese. Japanese studies of the Korean language, in particular, played a significant role in studying the relationship between Japanese and the languages of colonial rule.