Danseigo and Joseigo in the Anime Suzume no Tojimari: A Sociolinguistic Study of Language Variation and Social Status

Abstract

Danseigo is a variety of Japanese language traditionally used by men and characterized by specific linguistic features. Joseigo is also a language variety traditionally used by women, marked by its own distinct linguistic characteristics. Language variation based on social status refers to differences in language use influenced by the speaker’s social position, the interlocutor, and the hierarchical relationship between them. The purpose of this study is to describe how danseigo and joseigo are used, as well as how conversations between characters reflect their social status in the dialogues found in the anime Suzume no Tojimari by Makoto Shinkai. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative. The data source consists of utterances between characters that contain elements of danseigo and joseigo. The data collected from the anime Suzume no Tojimari amount to 25 instances, divided into two categories: 17 instances of danseigo and 8 instances of joseigo

Keywords: Danseigo, Joseigo, Social Status