The Language of Miyako Oral Traditions

Abstract

Although Ryukyuan languages with the exception of Okinawan are essentially unwritten, they are rich in oral traditions whose language displays unique characteristics compared to the spoken register. This applies also to the Miyako language, with its wealth of traditional texts transmitted orally including songs, chants, narratives, proverbs, aphorisms and riddles, and the oldest phonographic written records dating to 18th century. Research of the linguistic aspects of such texts should be of great value, both as a specialized register in its own right and in terms of a contribution to the broad historical-comparative research of Japonic languages. The present chapter provides the profile of Miyako as a modern spoken Japonic language (§1), presents theoretical essentials concerning the Miyako oral literature as well as an outline of the history of its documentation and research (§2), addresses general characteristics of the literary language (§3) and discusses some of its conservative features (§4). It introduces the basics of what can be labeled “Miyako philology” while arguing for the importance of pursuing this field.