This is a book about the structure, history, and evolution of the Japanese language. The Japanese Language is a classic study of one of the world's most widely used but least understood languages. Emphasizing the richness and complexity of Japanese as well as its limitations, this fine book provides a lively discussion about the uniqueness of the Japanese language. This book will interest anyone intrigued by one of the word's most widely used and least understood languages. The relationship of Japanese to other languages is not well understood even by native speakers, and Proffessor Kindaichi sets out to define it. He concludes that Japanese is indeed only remotely related to other world languages although it shares many features in common with the languages of mainland Asia. Readers who are just beginning Japanese study will find this section especially fascinating, for each point is backed by examples from literature and everyday speech. Kindaichi also investigates the so-called vagueness of Japanese and traces it to its source--the unusual sentence order. This book includes: The highly debated origins of the Japanese language--Dialects, jargon, sex-- and role-based distinctions. Differences between informal, formal, and literary language. Structure, rhythm, and accent of pronunciation. What can and cannot be said in Japanese.