Graphological Structure of Japanese

Abstract

Certain important general features of the graphological structure of modern Japanese are reviewed. The Japanese writing system is characterized in particular by its plurality of scripts and by the distinctive nature of the kanji (character) script. Three major structural repercussions of these properties in the normal orthography are surveyed: firstly, the differential function of the various scripts in distinguishing grammatical from lexical items and, within the lexicon, in marking membership of motivating, by way of graphological linkage, the learned Sino-Japanese vocabulary in terms of the neutral native vocabulary; and finally, the differential role played by kanji in two important types of homophony.