There is cumulative evidence suggesting that hyper-glossing facilitates lower-level processing and enhances reading comprehension. There are plentiful studies on electronic dictionaries for English. ...However, research on e-dictionaries for languages with no boundaries between words is still scarce. The main aim for the current study is to investigate the usage and efficacy of e-dictionaries for Japanese language learners. This article reports the results of two studies concerning e-dictionaries: a survey study investigating the use of e-dictionaries (with a particular focus on e-glossaries that change a digital text into a hypertext) by L2 learners of Japanese, and a comparative study examining existing e-glossaries to evaluate whether they provide the optimal level of support for reading Japanese e-texts. The results of the survey showed that learners have their preferred e-dictionaries (in most cases, e-word dictionaries in which the user can look up individual words), and that few learners are aware of the existence of e-glossaries. The results of further study revealed that existing e-glossaries have various functions, but lack some requisite information crucial to the target language. This study suggests that technical issues revolving around the lack of spaces between words may be a reason for the lag in usage and efficacy of e-glossaries for languages without word boundaries.
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 Deardorff's 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.
This study focuses on the discourse around social morals relating to the family that appear in written material and videos produced by conservative intellectuals belonging to the Nippon Kaigi (The ...Japanese Nationalist Association), which further their agenda of surveillance and control over the Japanese population. In particular, we focus on discourse on the contentious issue of fūfubessei (the retention of former family names after marriage). Here we aim to understand (1) the reasoning of their core argument that adopting fūfubessei will lead to the collapse of family, society and the Japanese nation, (2) the ideology behind this argument, and (3) the rhetoric used in attempts to persuade the public. We posit that the hostility towards fūfubessei is a reflection of the broader agenda of conservatism which leverages a moral imperative to protect traditional and normative notions of family and, ultimately, what it means to be Japanese.
Copper plates were exposed under sheltered outdoor conditions for up to one year, starting in September 2001 in Musashino City, Tokyo, a suburban area. Following various periods of exposure, the ...patinas on the plates were characterized to investigate their evolution by using X-ray fluorescence analysis, X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy. The difference in the roles of sulfur and chlorine in the early stages of copper patination were identified by analyzing the depth profiles of these two elements. Sulfur was found on top of the patina as cupric sulfates such as posnjakite (Cu
4SO
4(OH)
6
·
H
2O) or brochantite (Cu
4SO
4(OH)
6). Brochantite appeared only after 12 months of exposure. In contrast, chlorine was found on the surface after only one month of exposure. It gradually penetrated the patina as the exposure period lengthened, forming copper chloride complexes. Chloride ions accumulated at the patina/copper interface, forming nantokite (CuCl), which promoted corrosion.
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 husband's or wife's 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.
Examined negotiation of meaning that took place between students and native speakers of Japanese over a series of computer-based chat conversations and attempted to categorize the difficulties ...encountered. Data showed that the difficulties in understanding each other triggered negotiation meaning between students even when no specific communication tasks were given. (Author/VWL)
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