MANGA DESIGN AND ROLE LANGUAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS - Paper (INTED2020)

Aug 23, 2026

The study presents an innovative language-learning project grounded in cross-cultural communication, leveraging Japanese Manga design to build learning environments that serve both educational goals and local community development. It examines multimodality in learning through practices such as poetry creation, metaphor learning, and prosody instruction supported by personalized audio-visual tools, positioning these as enhancers of traditional CALL scenarios. By applying role language concepts in EFL courses and in Manga localization, the work helps learners improve unmotivated engagement, understand language-system differences, and avoid inadequate translation, while supporting project-based, bilingual Manga creation and students’ English expression and interaction skills.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Project Scope

Role Language in Manga

MANGA DESIGN AND ROLE LANGUAGE IN THE CONTEXT OF CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS Takako Yasuta1, Evgeny Pyshkin2 1Fukushima Medical University (JAPAN) 2 University of Aizu (JAPAN) Abstract We present the project contributing to a rich discourse on innovative approaches to language learning, which is an immanent part of cross-cultural communication. With respect to commonly recognized multimodality of language learning, we study the possibility of using the unique elements of Japanese Manga design for the benefits of creating an environment addressing both educational perspectivesand local community development. We also address the aspects of multimodality of language learning, where novel practices (such as poetry creation, learning metaphors, and use of prosody structures with personalized audio-visual tools) should not be understood as competitors but rather enhancers of traditional CALL scenarios creating new technology-driven solutions. By adapting the idea of role language in EFL courses, the learning experience of unmotivated EFL learners can be improved. Role language also plays an important role in Manga localization, i.e. , adapting an existing translation to fit the scope of conversation and to make sense in another language. This process helps students to understand the differences between language systems, thus to avoid straightforward (often inadequate) translation. From the societal perspective, students’ bilingual Manga designs maybe used as parts of real-life problem-based projects contributing to the development and promotion of the local community. Our primary experience demonstrates that our students enjoy making Manga while learning new English expressions and conversational patterns, along with elementary crosscultural communication and business skills. Keywords: Manga, L2 writing, role language, multimodality, project-based learning, college-level EFL. 1 INTRODUCTION Manga, or a Japanese graphic novel, originates from a variety of graphic sources. These sources create a significant part of the Japanese culture and include the old storytelling scrolls, picture books of Edo period, and ukiyo-e sketches of everyday life [1] . Figure 1 illustrates examples of such ancient Manga prototypes. Figure 1. Old scroll book; picture books exposed in the Museum of Edo-Tokyo; Japanese print "Pearl searchers ". Modern understanding of Manga concept refers to the traditions established in the end of the 19th century with the appearance of Manga magazines such as Eshinbun Nipponchi (1874), Marumaru Proceedings of INTED2020 Conference 2nd-4th March 2020, Valencia, Spain ISBN: 978-84-09-17939-8 0001 Chinbun (1875), and Garakuta Chinpo (1879) . Manga dramatically developed in the years after World War II. Many authors argued that the possible reasons for such an explosive development could be found in the censorship policies of Allied occupation authorities prohibiting art and writing considered to be connected to the glorification of Japanese militarism, but accepting publication of other kinds of creative material, including Manga [2] . Figure 2 shows an example of modern Manga. Figure 2. Modern love comedy Manga in Japanese: from “Love Hina”, K. Akamatsu. Despite its specific visual styles, Manga does not address only younger generations: in Japan, people of all ages buy and read Manga books. While the beginning of contemporary Manga was significantly influenced by the Western comics traditions, last decades demonstrate that Japanese aesthetics considerably contributed to the global world of comics, where Manga became one of the highly exported Japanese inventions, along with technology and industrial products [3] . Many popular Manga stories are translated into different languages (see Figure 3) . Figure 3. Japanese Manga translations into English and French (Photo taken by the authors in a Manga shop in Paris, France). Using Manga and comics for educational purposes

FAQs

What does the paper propose about Japanese Manga design in language learning?

It explores using distinctive Japanese Manga design elements to create learning environments that address both educational perspectives and local community development.

How does role language support EFL learners in this approach?

Adapting role language in EFL courses can improve the learning experience of unmotivated learners by using linguistic stereotypes tied to character types.

What role does Manga localization play in students’ learning?

Localization adapts existing translations to fit conversation scope, helping students understand differences between language systems and reducing reliance on straightforward, often inadequate, translation.

Aug 23, 2026

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