mainland Japanese dialects
Linguistic term referring to Japanese dialects spoken on the main islands (Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, etc.), as opposed to the Ryukyuan languages. Used in academic or comparative contexts.
Comparative research on mainland Japanese dialects and Ryukyuan languages is progressing.
Refers to the traditional Ryukyuan languages, which are distinct from mainland Japanese dialects. 本土方言 is the contrasting term.
Compound of 本土 (mainland) and 方言 (dialect). A modern technical term in Japanese linguistics.