Japanese Grammar of Mind and Language (42) The Tripod Theory of Modern Japanese (2) Viewing Modern Japanese Positively

(Continued from above)

Because of this, modern Japanese has become a composite language supported by a tripod of 'Wa' (Japanese), 'Kan' (Chinese), and 'Yo' (Western) elements.

The Three-Layer Theory of Japanese

The argument that Japanese cultural products are a fusion of 'Wa', 'Kan', and 'Yo' is not uncommon.

However, most such arguments are based on the idea of 'three layers' rather than a 'tripod'.

First, there is the 'Wa' culture as the foundation.

On top of that, the 'Kan' culture is layered.

And the image is that the 'Yo' culture is layered on top of that.

However, if you apply this 'three-layer' concept to the Japanese language, it implies that even if the upper 'Yo' layer or 'Kan' layer were removed, Japanese would still somehow function as Japanese with just the 'Wa' layer.

The Tripod Theory of Modern Japanese

My argument is not that. Modern Japanese only functions because of the tripod of 'Wa', 'Kan', and 'Yo', and

if even one of those legs were missing, modern Japanese would no longer function as modern Japanese is what I argue.

This is my 'Tripod Theory of Modern Japanese'.

I believe that there is no other composite language in the world supported by a tripod like modern Japanese.

For example, English is a composite of Germanic and Latin cultures, but such a composite is merely something within Western culture.

One piece of evidence for this is that they use only the Roman alphabet.

However, in the case of modern Japanese, we use a mixture of three essentially different writing systems: Kanji, Kana, and the Roman alphabet.

One could view this composite nature of Japanese as a weakness, such as being unprincipled or lacking integrity.

In fact, many Japanese intellectuals have historically viewed modern Japanese and modern Japanese civilization pessimistically from that perspective. However,

it should also be possible to view this (Wa-Kan-Yo) composite nature in modern Japanese as an unparalleled strength, such as being free from the constraints of principles and capable of pluralistic thinking.

I believe that we, the Japanese people who are the stakeholders, should evaluate our own civilization and its language more positively.

And we should take the path of further evolving and developing this unique composite civilization of the world.

(Continued below)

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