Abstract
This paper reports the results of the 2021 Nationwide Survey on Changes in the Japanese Language. Based on the results, the author points out the following.
- In terms of “ra nuki kotoba” (‘ra ’-dropped words, using “reru” instead of “rareru”), a clear divide was found in the percentages of those who said, “I use this form myself,” depending on words: while “nerenai” (can't sleep), “korenai” (can't come), “mirenai” (can't see), “okirenai” (can't get up), and “taberenai” (can't eat) were used by the majority, “kazoerenai” (can't count) and “tashikamerenai” (can't confirm) were used by less than half of the respondents. Meanwhile, there was little difference in the percentages of those feeling “it is alright to use this form in a formal setting” for each item.
By age group, the younger, the higher percentage of people said, “I use this form myself,” but there was no such unidirectional trend in the percentages of those thinking “it is alright to use this form in a formal setting.” Instead, it was observed those in their 50s were most conservative. By region, conservatism in the Kanto region was found.
As for the use of “ra nuki kotoba” in broadcasting, the opinion “it is better not to use” remains to be the mainstream even now, but it is not necessarily an overwhelming proportion, compared to previous surveys.
- Regarding whether to include the ‘sa ’ for “na(sa)sōda” (does not seem), the age differences were small while a rough regional difference (East Japan vs West Japan) was observed.
