2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Verbal communication of emotion in foreign language and intercultural learning
| Project/Area Number |
20K21980
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| Research Institution | Toyo University |
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Principal Investigator |
SANDU ROXANA 東洋大学, 国際観光学部, 講師 (90637638)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2020-09-11 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | viral videos / emotion / English language |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Started in October 2020, this study is still in its initial stage.
The preparatory stage includes two phases: (1) gathering video materials to be used in focus group discussions, and (2) developing follow-up interview questions. According to Ekman’s lifetime work, there are some emotions that are universal, such as anger, disgust, enjoyment, fear, sadness, and surprise. From October 2020 to January 2020, viral videos that trigger these so-called universal emotions were carefully collected. In order to make sure the selected videos trigger the expected emotions, a number of volunteers (Japanese and international students) are being asked to watch and assess each video that will be used during the focus group discussions.
Since the study is still in its initial stage and no conclusive data has been yet collected, achievements in form of academic papers are yet to be submitted. Even so, I gave one conference presentation last year based on my personal classroom observations. In this presentation, I explained about the unawareness that can hinder our communication in intercultural settings. A lack of emotional involvement in social interactions can be misleading and especially misunderstood in intercultural settings, where interactants bring with them different sociolinguistic and cultural knowledge. This presentation emphasized the importance to raise awareness of certain aspects, such as verbal expression of emotions or adjusting our linguistic and pragmatic repertoire in intercultural interactions.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
Collecting the viral videos to be used in the focus group discussions has proved more complicated than initially planned. Cultural factors need to be taken into account and rechecking the videos collection by people of various cultural backgrounds may be necessary in order to avoid cultural based bias.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Once the videos are decided (by June 2021), the PI plans to move on to the second stage and start collecting the first set of data from two groups of native speakers, one of English and one of Japanese, in order to create a baseline that will allow the researcher to compare it to the data collected from the language learners. Since meeting in person might be a challenge due to COVID-19, necessary adjustments to the methods might need to be made in order to collect the data online.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Due to COVID-19, traveling to attend international or domestic conferences was not possible, so the initial requested amount could not be spent. Also, the amount was requested for an entire year, but the funds were granted in October, therefore accounting for only half a year.
For next fiscal year, remuneration, in form of a symbolic payment reward for the volunteering participants will be offered as an incentive to participate in the focus group discussions. Research assistants will be hired to help the researcher with unexpected technical problems during the discussions, as well as explaining the details to the participants, administering the questionnaire, and making sure the discussions go smoothly.
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Research Products
(1 results)
