Copyright by Kara Lenore Williams 2006 The Dissertation Committee for Kara Lenore Williams Certifies that this is the approved version of the following dissertation: The Impact of Popular Culture Fandom on Perceptions of Japanese Language and Culture Learning: The Case of Student Anime Fans Committee: Zena Moore, Supervisor Yukie Aida Thomas J. Garza Elaine Horwitz Susan J. Napier The Impact of Popular Culture Fandom on Perceptions of Japanese Language and Culture Learning: The Case of Student Anime Fans by Kara Lenore Williams, B.A.; M.A. Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Texas at Austin in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin May 2006 Dedication For my family and friends, particularly my fiancé, Michael Stockinger, whose patience, love and support have made this degree possible. For my mentor, Dr. Zena Moore, who generously gave of her wisdom and time to help guide this research. For group of ten special women and men who gave their time, thoughts and ideas to participate in this study. Acknowledgements I am deeply grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Zena Moore, and to Dr. Yukie Aida, Dr. Thomas Garza, Dr. Elaine Horwitz, and Dr. Susan Napier, the members of my committee, for the guidance and inspiration they have provided me in writing my dissertation. v The Impact of Popular Culture Fandom on Perceptions of Japanese Language and Culture Learning: The Case of Student Anime Fans Publication No._____________ Kara Lenore Williams, Ph.D. The University of Texas at Austin, 2006 Supervisor: Zena Moore This research examines the impact of popular culture fandom on perceptions of foreign language and culture learning within a Japanese studies context, using the example of student ‘anime’ (Japanese animation) fans. Anime, described by Tominaga (2002) as “presently one of the most popular expressions of Japanese culture in America,” was chosen for its apparent popularity among students of Japanese. This dissertation presents the results of a study that qualitatively describes the phenomenon of anime fandom as it relates to a sample of ten Japanese language students’ perceptions of the Japanese language and culture and of language learning. The results of the study have implications for the language classroom in terms of how instructors might use popular culture to encourage motivation and self-directed learning, and in terms of teaching culture and using authentic video materials in the classroom. This phenomenon also suggests the possibility that generating or capitalizing on interest in the popular culture of the target language group may be a useful tool in the recruitment of vi and retention of language students, given the challenges many language programs face in attracting and retaining students. vii Table of Contents Chapter 1 Rationale...............................................................................................1 Background of Study ....................................................................................1 Need for Study ..............................................................................................3 Purpose of Study ...........................................................................................9 Significance of Study ....................................................................................9 Chapter 2 Review of the Literature.....................................................................12 Popular Culture .............................................................................................12 Why Study Popular Culture? ........................................................................19 Authentic Video in the Classroom................................................................27 Teaching Culture...........................................................................................32 Motivation.....................................................................................................42 Anime............................................................................................................53 Conclusion ....................................................................................................69 Chapter 3 Methods..............................................................................................70 Rationale/Approach ......................................................................................70 Basic Study Design.......................................................................................71 Analysis.........................................................................................................74 Validity and Reliability.................................................................................76 Participants....................................................................................................80 Ethical Concerns ...........................................................................................82 Limitations ....................................................................................................83 Disclosure of Biases and Connection to Topic of Research.........................84 Chapter 4 Results ................................................................................................88 Participant Profiles........................................................................................89 Anime Fandom and Culture..........................................................................93 Perceptions of the Connection between Anime & Japanese Culture .93 Perceptions of Culture Learning ......................................................125 viii Culture Learning and Issues of Gender .............................................136 Anime Fandom and Language Learning.....................................................155 Language Learning as a Positive Experience ....................................155 Anime as Motivation to Study Japanese............................................159 Participants as Successful Language Learners ..................................163 Anime as a Language Learning Aid ..................................................165 Chapter 5 Conclusions ......................................................................................171 The Experience of Language Learning.......................................................171 Learning as a Positive Experience .....................................................172 Participants as Successful ..................................................................174 The Experience of Learning Japanese Linked to Anime Fandom.....181 Perceptions of Fandom's Impact on Language Learning............................182 Anime as Motivation to Study Japanese ..........................................182 Anime as a Language Learning Aid ..................................................186 Perceptions of Issues Related to Japanese Language and Culture..............190 The Language and Culture Connection .............................................190 Embracing Linguistic and Cultural Differences ................................192 Critical Thinking about Culture and Media Texts .............................201 Anime Viewing as Culture Learning .................................................209 Issues of Gender and Culture.............................................................212 Discussion...................................................................................................240 Implications for Teaching Language and Culture .............................240 Limitations and Suggestions for Further Research............................246 ix Appendix A Anime Images ..............................................................................249 Appendix B Focus Group Interview Guide ......................................................253 Appendix C Individual Interview Guide...........................................................255 Appendix D Recruitment Questionnaire...........................................................257 Appendix E Recruitment Letter........................................................................258 Glossary .............................................................................................................260 Bibliography ......................................................................................................261 Vita…...................................................................................................................275 x Chapter 1: Rationale BACKGROUND OF STUDY In 1990, a study conducted on affective variables and the Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) by Samimy and Tabuse found that the majority of Japanese-as-a- Second Language (JSL) student participants in the study were business majors and were motivated to study Japanese because it might be helpful in their future careers. These findings are consistent with my own personal experience as a JSL student in the early 1990’s, where the majority of my classmates were business majors. At that time, the Japanese business model was being hailed as superior by many economists, and there was a great deal of trade friction between the United States and Japan. This generated an enormous amount of interest in the press, and many business students felt that Japanese was the language to study. However, since that time, Japan has been in a recession that has lasted over a decade. While Japan is