Literacy and script reform in occupation Japan [[electronic resource] ] : reading between the lines / / J. Marshall Unger

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910458124903321
• Autore: Unger J. Marshall
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: New York, : Oxford University Press, 1996
• ISBN: 1-280-53369-2; 0-19-535638-1
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (189 p.)
• Disciplina: 495.611
• Soggetti: Japanese language - Reform; Japanese language - Orthography and spelling; Japanese language - Writing; Electronic books.
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: Description based upon print version of record.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Contents; Transcription and Use of Japanese Words; 1. Introduction: Dreamers or Realists?; 2. Literacy in Japan up to 1945; 3. Script Reform from Within; 4. SCAP Steps In; 5. The Romaji Education Experiment; 6. Conclusion: The Most Literate Nation on Earth?; Appendix A: Halpern's Overview of the Romanization Issue; Appendix B: Trainor's Account of the Romaji Education Experiment; Appendix C: Calhoun's Key Memoranda on the Experiment's Results; Appendix D: Remarks on Archival Sources; Glossary of Japanese Terms; Notes; References; Index
• Sommario/riassunto: This book challenges the widespread belief that overzealous Americans forced unnecessary script reforms on an unprepared, unenthusiastic, but helpless Japan during the Occupation. Unger presents neglected historical evidence showing that the reforms implemented from 1946 to 1959 were both necessary and moderate. Although the United States Education Mission of 1946 recommended that the Japanese give serious consideration to the introduction of alphabetic writing, key American officials in the Civil Information and Education Section of GHQ/SCAP delayed and effectively killed action on this recom