Speaker
Description
Gairaigo, or loanword cognates, are an important aspect of second language learning. In this presentation, data gathered from Japanese English learners and English L1 speakers aimed to discover to what extent Japanese English learners use gairaigo when speaking in English and to what extent they are understood by English L1 speakers. Data collected from Japanese English teachers revealed the opinions of Japanese English teachers at the primary-level of education. A mixed methods approach allowed data to be collected in a variety of ways, enabling a greater understanding of the topic. The findings indicate that gairaigo are used by Japanese English learners when speaking in English and there is a tendency for them to be understood by English L1 speakers when used in full sentences. The study also revealed that Japanese English teachers at elementary schools have varied views on the source of gairaigo and whether they could be used as an aid to second language acquisition. The presentation concludes by highlighting further potential avenues of investigation and calling on participants to consider their own experiences, thoughts and opinions related to whether gairaigo have a role in second language acquisition in Japan.
Abstract section 2: Contribution/research questions
Research Questions:
1) Do Japanese English learners use gairaigo when speaking in English? If so, why?
2) Do English L1 speakers understand gairaigo classed as 'true cognates'?
3) What are the opinions of Japanese English teachers on using gairaigo in English class?
Abstract section 4: Outcomes/results
TBA
Abstract section 5: References
Brown, J. and Williams, C. (1985) ‘Gairaigo: a latent English vocabulary base?’ Tohoku Gakuin University Review: Essays and Studies in English Eibungaku, 76, pp. 129-146.
Kimura, M. (2004) The effect of Japanese loanwords on the acquisition of the correct range of meanings of English words. Kyoto: Kyoto Women’s University.
Daulton, F. (2008) Japan’s Built-In Lexicon of English-Based Loanwords. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Dörnyei, Z. (2007) Research Methods in Applied Linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hogan, J. (2003) ‘The Social Significance of English Usage in Japan’, Japanese Studies, 23, pp. 43-58.
Irwin, M. (2011) Loanwords in Japanese. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
Jenkins, J. (2000) The phonology of English as an international language. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lado, R. (1957) Linguistics across cultures. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.
Loveday, L. (1996) Language Contact in Japan. New York: Oxford University Press.
Rogers, J. Webb, S. and Nakata, T. (2015) ‘Do the cognacy characteristics of loanwords make them more easily learned than noncognates?’, Language Teaching Research, 19(1), pp. 9-27.
Stanlaw, J. (2004) Japanese English: Language and Culture Contact. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.
Abstract section 1: Relevance
This presentation highlights gairaigo (Japanese loanwords from English) as a pedagogically valuable resource in second language acquisition, aligning with current research showing cognates facilitate vocabulary learning. Empirical studies confirm Japanese learners use gairaigo in English production and are generally understood by L1 speakers, supporting the “borrowed word effect.” However, teacher attitudes remain ambivalent, with many unaware of gairaigo’s benefits or cautioning against their use, reflecting a gap between research and classroom practice. This underscores the need for teacher training and curriculum integration to leverage gairaigo as a motivational and cognitive scaffold in EFL contexts.
Abstract section 3: Content/method
Data was collected using a mixed-methods approach.
Three different groups were surveyed: Japanese English learners, English L1 speakers and Japanese English teachers. The Japanese English learners took part in a picture-description activity, a 12-item survey and a semi-structured interview. The English L1 speakers took part in two listening tests. The Japanese English teachers took part in a 13-item survey.
| Title | Gairaigo: An ongoing investigation |
|---|---|
| Teaching Context | General |