Center versus periphery
Center versus periphery (Yanagita Kunio explaining the usage of certain words in a language used in some regions while not in others. The theory may also explain the existence of other cultural features, or lack thereof, in differing regions; though it was specifically created to address linguistic differences.
Overview
In general, the theory states that new words, often
ripple pattern
. Over time, the new words may travel a great distance. However, during their slow progression outwards from the cultural center, new words are also being created and gradually moving outwards. New words may not have the "momentum" necessary to propagate to all areas where the language is used. Typically, areas that are farthest away from a cultural center will possess only the oldest form of a word and no others, though the new words often still remain active in the cultural center where they were created, along with other synonym variations.
Origin
This theory was postulated by
Yanagita Kunio to explain the existence of some words in cultural centers, such as the capital of Japan
, during various stages of the nation's history, and the lack of those such words in non-cultural centers. It is not certain if his postulate was the first to describe such cultural patterns in general; or merely with respect to language.
Example
One phenomenon the theory attempts to explain, for example, is the
linguists
have taken this existence of some words in the farthest regions from cultural centers as an indication of the age of certain of these words.
See also
- Dialects of Japanese
- Topolect
- Fangyan
- American English regional vocabulary
References
- Yanagita, Kunio (1930). On snails (in Japanese). Toko Shoin.
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