Abstract
This is the report of a symposium focused on the role of language in realizing a convivial society in Japan. The symposium aimed to underscore the fundamental importance of language which consists of the very basic common property among people living in society. First, three presenters researching Japanese language teaching, Japanese linguistics, and minority studies respectively presented their personal stories or autoethnographies describing their own experiences with “language”. These three different presentations showed the existence of strong linguistic norms that shape the feeling of themselves and their life experiences. Then, two discussants who advocate for the social participation of linguistic minorities offered their insights and engaged in a discussion about the issues raised by the presenters. Some of the notable issues that emerged from the discussions included the questioning of privileges by the very people who enjoy them and the possibility of “communication” without using language that fosters the sense of “communicate”.
https://ror.org/035t8zc32 
