The Role of Instruction and International Communication in the Development of Humor Competency in a Foreign Language

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K00909
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: RUCYNSKI John 岡山大学, 教育推進機構, 准教授 (10512741)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): Prichard Caleb 岡山大学, 全学教育・学生支援機構, 准教授 (10440306)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: humor instruction / humor training / verbal irony / cultural differences

Outline of Final Research Achievements

During this project, we implemented a new research study designed to measure the effect of training materials on improving the ability of Japanese learners of English to detect, comprehend, and react to how humor is used in English speaking countries. Our research project resulted in significant results and the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator were thus very successful in having research articles and conference proposals accepted. Publications for this project included an edited book (by the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator), four book chapters, and four peer-reviewed journal articles. The PI was also invited to write a series of columns for TESOL International about the theme of the research project. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the PI also delivered more than 20 oral presentations at academic conferences.

Free Research Field

外国語教育

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ユーモアは異文化コミュニケーションに不可欠な要素ですが、英語学習者が英語圏のユーモアをよりよく理解できるようにすることに特化した研究はまだ不足しています。 教育におけるユーモアの利点については多くの研究が説明していますが、PIと共同研究員が編集したこの本は、英語学習者のユーモア能力開発を支援するための実証研究について説明している点でユニークでです。 さらに、私たちの論文の 1 つは、特に日本人の英語学習者向けのユーモア能力トレーニングに関する最初の論文であり、こういったテーマの論文では、Q1ジャーナルである『System』に初めて掲載されたものであると考えています。