Comparative Effects of L1 Versus L2 Definitions and Kana Versus Kanji Presentation
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Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2016-06-01 Japanese Vocabulary Learning Through an Interactive Video Platform: Comparative Effects of L1 Versus L2 Definitions and Kana Versus Kanji Presentation Ryler Jay Nielsen Brigham Young University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Nielsen, Ryler Jay, "Japanese Vocabulary Learning Through an Interactive Video Platform: Comparative Effects of L1 Versus L2 Definitions and Kana ersusV Kanji Presentation" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 6096. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6096 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Japanese Vocabulary Learning Through an Interactive Video Platform: Comparative Effects of L1 Versus L2 Definitions and Kana Versus Kanji Presentation Ryler Jay Nielsen A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Michael D. Bush, Chair J Paul Warnick Masakazu Watabe Center for Language Studies Brigham Young University June 2016 Copyright © 2016 Ryler Jay Nielsen All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Japanese Vocabulary Learning Through an Interactive Video Platform: Comparative Effects of L1 Versus L2 Definitions and Kana Versus Kanji Presentation Ryler Jay Nielsen Center for Language Studies, BYU Master of Arts Advances in digital technology have recently allowed for richer text annotation in combination with authentic second language video media. As a result, many educational researchers are focusing increased attention on the effect this application of technology can have on second language acquisition. This study examines the comparative effectiveness of target vocabulary treatments with either native language (L1) definitions or target language (L2) definitions when target vocabulary is presented in either kana or kanji as a part of the subtitles of an L2 film based on participant performance on vocabulary assessments. This study also examines the participants’ perceived levels of helpfulness of the varying word treatments. The results of the study suggest that providing annotations for target words in the L2 increases learning of that word more than L1 annotations for intermediate learners of Japanese. On the other hand, learners rated access to definitions in L1 as more helpful than L2 definitions, and they expressed their preference for understanding the story more than learning the target vocabulary. Keywords: L1, L2, kanji, kana, word treatment, word definition, dictionary, gloss, annotation, Japanese, intermediate learner, learner perspective ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to first express my gratitude for the extensive amount of aid the members of my committee provided throughout the program and research process. I am so thankful to my chair, Dr. Michael Bush. His continued guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this whole process has been invaluable. I also thank Dr. J. Paul Warnick for his guidance and encouragement, not only during the program, but also ever since being an undergraduate student. I express my appreciation to Dr. Masakazu Watabe for giving me the opportunity to learn by doing as an instructor as well as a TA and as his student. I also acknowledge Dr. Jeongwoon Kim and thank her for her willingness to speak with me, teach me about and share her research in the same field. Her research and example has been invaluable to this thesis. I would also like to thank Jeff Jensen and Santiago Verdu, members of the team in the ARCLITE Lab in BYU’s Center for Language Studies, for their help with setting up the film Departures for delivery to the learners and ensuring the system was working properly. I also thank Robert Bodily for teaching me how to extract and understand the data recorded from the learning record store as participants watched the film. I would also like to express my gratitude to all those in the Second Language Teaching program. In particular, I thank Agnes Welch, our Program Manager, who has been there from day one helping us all reach our highest potential. I would also like to show my appreciation to Jeff Peterson for all his help and encouragement as we have made this journey together. I also express my gratitude to Dr. Dennis Eggett for his extensive help with the statistical analysis. Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to my family. I express my love and thanks to my parents, Jay and Joy Nielsen, for all their encouragement, guidance and support as well as for being the examples I look up to. I further thank my father- and mother-in-law, Evan and Deonn Stott, from whom I have received much support and encouragement throughout the research process. I also express my deepest gratitude and love for the most important person in my life, my wife, Lauren, for her continued love, support, and encouragement. v Table of Contents Japanese Vocabulary Learning Through an Interactive Video Platform: ......................................... i ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................................. v List of Tables ....................................................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ........................................................................................................................................................ ix Chapter 1: Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ....................................................................................................................... 3 Past research on target word presentation (kana or kanji) ................................................... 3 Past research on L1 versus L2 definitions ..................................................................................... 6 Significance of the Problem ................................................................................................................... 9 Research Questions ................................................................................................................................... 11 Definitions .................................................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2: Review of Literature ................................................................................................................... 13 Vocabulary Learning ................................................................................................................................ 14 Subtitled Video and L2 Acquisition .................................................................................................... 17 Listening Comprehension ...................................................................................................................... 19 Reading Comprehension ......................................................................................................................... 20 Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 3: Research Design & Procedures ............................................................................................... 23 Overview of Design ................................................................................................................................... 23 Participants .................................................................................................................................................. 24 Procedures ................................................................................................................................................... 26 vi Preparation of the Experiment ......................................................................................................... 26 Administration of the Experiment .................................................................................................. 29 Data Collection ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Materials and Instruments ..................................................................................................................... 32 Vocabulary tests and pre-/post-surveys ...................................................................................... 32 Departures ................................................................................................................................................ 33 Word Treatment/Presentation