Past Event! Note: this event has already taken place.
Speaker Series: Dr. Takehiro Kanaya
September 21, 2017 at 6:30 PM
| Location: | 102 Azrieli Theatre |
| Contact Email: | elizabeth.sowka@carleton.ca |
How do we say “I love you” in Japanese?
The Sapir–Whorf Hypothesis proclaimed that one’s mother tongue influences a speaker’s interpretation of the world. This hypothesis allows us to explain the difference between Japanese and English languages quite well. By examining how everyday greetings, people’s names, name of places, and basic syntax influence the view of English and Japanese native speakers respectively, it becomes apparent that culture and language are deeply intertwined. Ultimately, Dr. Kanaya will explore the possibility that Japanese language itself can contribute to world peace.
About the Speaker
Dr. Takehiro Kanaya is a linguist and author. After graduation from the University of Tokyo, he moved to the Province of Quebec in 1975, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Linguistics from Laval University and a Doctoral Degree in Linguistics from the University of Montreal in 1995. After working at CBC’s International Bureau, he became the Department Chair of Japanese Language at the Centre for East Asian Studies until 2012. He has also published a number of books on the subject of Japanese language.
This event is co-sponsored by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies and the Embassy of Japan.