Sociolingvistični premik na Okinavi: primerjava med cesarstvom Japonske in ameriško okupacijo

Ryukyuan languages were formally declared endangered by UNESCO's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger of Extinction in 2009. While the language shift dates to earlier periods, particularly the beginning of Meiji rule, this thesis maintains its focus on the post-World War II period, a pivotal moment for the languages of the Ryukyu Islands. During this era, the Ryukyuans experienced not only political and economic hardships but also a shift in national identity. To defend themselves against the U.S. Army's human rights violations, the people showed a desire to reunite with Japan, which greatly influenced both national sentiment and language use. This thesis examines the impact of language policies implemented during the occupation period following World War II on the use of the Ryukyuan language and how this affected the declining vitality of the language at the time in both private and public domains. Using Cooper’s and Spolsky’s language policy and planning frameworks, this research will analyse who initiated what policies, when, where, why, and how. This research draws on historical documents and educational policy records from the occupation period to provide a comprehensive picture of planning efforts during this period. The purpose of this thesis is to highlight how the postwar-era policies contributed to the language loss witnessed today in the Ryukyu Islands. It aims to present how these policies affected the attitude and language shift in the islands. Findings may also contribute to current revitalization efforts by providing a deeper understanding of past language suppression.