Is Shimakutuba a Dialect? — The Ambiguous Boundary Between Dialect and Language.

“Shimakutuba” is a term for the languages spoken in various regions of Okinawa Prefecture.

You may have heard “Shimakutuba” referred to as “Okinawan dialect” both within and outside the prefecture. On the other hand, it is sometimes said that “Shimakutuba should not be called a dialect.” They argue that Shimakutuba is a language, not a dialect.

So, is Shimakutuba a “dialect” after all? To begin with, what exactly is a “dialect”? This article will delve into that question.

Is “Shimakutuba” an Okinawan Dialect?

As mentioned earlier, Shimakutuba is often said to be a language, not a dialect. However, most people do not often consider the difference between a “dialect” and a “language.”

Furthermore, while “Okinawan dialect” used to be the dominant term for Shimakutuba, it is now classified as a “language.” Why did this change happen? First, let’s examine the differences between a “dialect” and a “language.”

The Boundary Between “Dialect” and “Language” is Ambiguous

To put it simply, it is said that making a clear distinction between a “dialect” and a “language” is difficult.

Although it is possible to linguistically define the distinction to some extent, in reality, the classification is a complex interplay of social, political, and historical factors. What’s more, even the linguistic definitions have multiple theories.

Therefore, the boundary line between a dialect and a language is extremely ambiguous. Nevertheless, confirming a certain degree of definition is important.

Here, we will introduce the linguistic distinction between “language” and “dialect” that is widely adopted by many researchers.

The Linguistic Distinction: Are They Mutually Intelligible?

In linguistics, a “dialect” is defined as a “variety” of a language spoken by a specific region or group. The characteristic of a dialect is that, although it differs from other dialects of the same language, speakers can understand each other to some extent without special study. On the other hand, if a language is so different from the speech of another region or group that it is mutually unintelligible, it is considered a “language.”

For example, consider the following relationships:

 The “Dialect Continuum”

You might think that Tokyo speech and Tsugaru (Aomori) speech are so different as to be mutually unintelligible.

On this point, there is a concept called a “dialect continuum.” A dialect continuum refers to a state where neighboring languages are mutually intelligible, and this intelligibility forms a continuous chain. In other words, while Tokyo speech and Tsugaru speech may be unintelligible when compared in isolation, it is thought that there is a gradual progression of mutually intelligible languages that form a continuous chain between them.

In the case of Shimakutuba, the various regional languages spoken within Okinawa Prefecture today—such as the language of Naha (Okinawan) and the language of Miyako Island (Miyakoan)—are not mutually intelligible. Consequently, these are considered distinct languages.

Why Is Shimakutuba Still Called a “Dialect”?

So why is a language like Shimakutuba sometimes referred to as an “Okinawan dialect”? It’s said that this is influenced by social, political, and historical factors.

The Establishment of a National Language

One major factor is the establishment of a “national language” (kokugo).

It is common for nation-states to establish a national language to unify their people and foster a sense of national identity. As a result, the language used in the central region is designated as the “standard language,” while the languages of other regions are often relegated to “dialects.”

In Japan, when the Ryukyu Kingdom was annexed, policies to promote the Japanese language were implemented to cultivate a sense of Japanese national identity. It is said that in this process, the use of Shimakutuba was restricted, and the perception of it as a mere “dialect” was ingrained in people’s minds.

The Influence of the “American Era”

Additionally, after World War II, Okinawa was separated from Japan for 27 years under U.S. administration (known locally as América-yuu).

During this period, expressions like “—go” (language), such as “Ryukyu-go” or “Okinawa-go,” were not preferred as they gave the impression of separating and distancing the Ryukyu Islands from Japan. It’s pointed out that “—hōgen” (dialect) was often used instead. The fact that the concept of various languages existing within a single country is largely unfamiliar in Japan also played a significant role.

Due to this social and political background, it’s believed that Shimakutuba, which is linguistically a “language,” came to be called a “dialect.”

The Present and Future of Shimakutuba

Currently, the majority of Shimakutuba speakers in Okinawa are elderly, and many in the younger generation are unable to understand or speak it. It is also said that a considerable number of elderly speakers still feel that “Shimakutuba is bad or shameful” due to the past language promotion policies.

Although prefectural-wide efforts to preserve and pass on Shimakutuba are underway, the regional languages still remain endangered. Language is tied to identity. Recognizing Shimakutuba as an independent language and passing it on as a valuable cultural heritage is a crucial task.

References

• Ishizaki, H. (2015). Shimakutuba no Kagai Jugyō [Extracurricular Lessons on Shimakutuba]. Borderink.
• Kibe, N. (2011). 2: On the definition of language and dialect. In Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioned Project: Report on the Survey and Research of the Reality of Languages and Dialects in a Critical State, pp. 5–8. National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics.
• Kibe, N. et al. (2013). Hōgengaku Nyūmon [Introduction to Dialectology]. Sanseido.
• Shimabukuro, S. (2021). Okinawago o Sakanoboru [Tracing the Roots of Okinawan]. Hakusuisha.
• Tohoku University Dialect Research Center. (2012). Hōgen o Sukuu, Hōgen de Sukuu: 3.11 Hishai-chi kara no Teigen [Saving Dialects, Saving with Dialects: Proposals from the 3.11 Disaster Area]. Hitsuji Shobo.