Faculty Publications

"Then I Learned About Positive Thinking": The Genre Structuring Of Narratives Of Self-Transformation

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Genre, Japanese, Narrative, Self

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Linguistic Anthropology

Volume

24

Issue

2

First Page

133

Last Page

150

Abstract

This article brings together research on genre and the self to investigate personal narrative as a "technology of the self" (Foucault ) in the context of a Japanese public speaking course. In the Tokyo Speech Center, the goal of learning to give effective speeches is used as a method for transforming selves, culminating in narratives that position the speaker as someone who has made positive changes, whether in communication skills or interpersonal relationships. In narrating how they were changed by taking the course, speakers display an "enterprising self" (Rose ), demonstrating agency, self-management, and reflexivity.

Department

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology

Original Publication Date

1-1-2014

DOI of published version

10.1111/jola.12045

Link to Full Text

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