Etsuko Toyoda

Common and Script-Specific Awareness in Relation to Word Recognition in English and Chinese.

Regardless of the script, in the process of learning to read words, readers develop awareness of the structural and functional properties of words with increased exposure to the script. However, as sub-word units that are critical for phonological or morphological processing or both are not uniform, the types of the awareness may vary from script to script. By reviewing relevant studies, this study examines awareness in relation to phonological and morphological processing in English word recognition and in Chinese character recognition to identify common and script-specific aspects of awareness. It reveals that whether in English word reading or in Chinese character reading, readers become aware of how sub-word units correspond to phonological and morphological information, which can be referred to as awareness of orthography–phonology correspondence and awareness of orthography–morphology correspondence. At a more local level, awareness of orthography–phonology correspondence and orthography–morphology correspondence that develops may be script-specific due to the nature of critical processing units in different orthographies. In English words, the critical processing unit is a phonological one such as a phoneme (or a rhyme), whereas in Chinese characters, it is a component of a character which is closely linked to orthography.

Resistance and reform: discourses on marital law in Japan

Abstract This article examines opinions concerning fūfubessei (a married couple retaining their birth surnames) posted on an online forum. Recently, the topic of fūfubessei has once again come under a spotlight, since the Japanese Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Civil Code Article 750, which stipulates that a married couple must choose either the husbands or wifes surname upon marriage registration. Owing to the large number of women forfeiting their surnames, the fūfubessei issue has often been researched from feminist perspectives, which may have hindered the voices of others. This article analyzes, using text mining (quantitative analysis) and discourse analysis (qualitative analysis), a large number of opinions from people of various cultural backgrounds. The results of this study reveal a diversity of beliefs and attitudes towards Article 750, reflecting the complexity of the issue. In general, proponents of reform claim the law violates equality, rights and liberty. From opponents there was a strong push to conform rather than to recognize a need for individual choice. Moreover, the many personal narratives provided insight into issues on the ground and revealed how many in Japanese society have dealt with the law, social pressure and social expectations and why they have followed the path they have chosen.

Intercultural knowledge, awareness and skills observed in a foreign language classroom

Abstract This article reports on findings from a research study conducted in a university-level Japanese course, which utilised intercultural learning approaches, methodologies and techniques. The purpose of the investigation was to assess student intercultural development as conceptualised in Deardorffs Process Model of Intercultural Competence.) The findings suggest that when an appropriate learning environment is provided, component elements of intercultural competence will develop. Emergent conclusions also highlight the importance of external engagement, reflection, scaffolding and training in foreign language classrooms.

Collaborative video blended learning for exercising higher-order thinking - evaluation using community of inquiry framework

This paper presents findings from an examination of different learning experiences in students engaged in intercultural learning activities in a collaborative blended learning environment using video sharing, within a university foreign language course. Learning experience in the video collaborative blended learning environment was evaluated using community of inquiry framework, focusing on cognitive presence in students with different cultural backgrounds. It was hypothesised that multicultural experience would enhance cognitive presence, as profound life experience could fuel higher-order thinking. The results of an in-depth analysis of diaries kept by six students (two international students, two local students with Asian background, and two local students with a relatively monocultural background) indicated that while prior intercultural experience of individual students plays a key role, both teaching presence and social presence also affect the exercise of higher-order thinking.

Japanese Perceptions of Argentine Tango: Cultural and Gender Differences

I Argentina and Uruguay, the tango, the dance of passion, is a deeprooted tradition, closely related to the history of the region, and maintained for decades by afi cionados. In October 2009, the tango (widely known as the Argentine tango) was recognized by the United Nations as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage (UN News n. pag., par. 1). This study investigates gender and cultural differences in perceptions about the Argentine tango danced by the Japanese and Latin Americans (hereafter “Latinos”). While the dance cannot be separated from the music, my focus is the dance. In this article the term tango refers to the Argentine tango dance, unless otherwise specifi ed. The fi ndings of my study suggest that, despite the clear division of roles, the female and male dancers’ perceptions are very similar. On the other hand, despite the tango’s long history and popularity in Japan, there are signifi cant differences between the two cultural groups, the Japanese and Latin Americans, in their perceptions of the tango.

Realms of Literacy: Early Japan and the History of Writing

DAVID B. LURIE. Realms of Literacy: Early Japan and the History of Writing . Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 2011. 497 pp. US

Categorization of Text Chat Communication between Learners and Native Speakers of Japanese

59.95, hardcover. In his recent book, Realms of Literacy...