An ecological perspective on the use of memes for language learning

Files

27_02_10125-73507.pdf (1.21 MB)

Date

2023-02-13

Authors

Contributor

Advisor

Department

Instructor

Depositor

Speaker

Researcher

Consultant

Interviewer

Narrator

Transcriber

Annotator

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Hawaii National Foreign Language Resource Center
Center for Language & Technology

Volume

27

Number/Issue

2

Starting Page

155

Ending Page

175

Alternative Title

Abstract

Internet memes—usually taking the form of an image, GIF, or video with text—have become an important type of semiotic tool for meaning making. Due to the fact that memes can help learners leverage semiotic modes in social contexts, they hold great potential for language education. Integrating ecological social semiotic frameworks, this comparative case study examined the semiotic affordances of using memes for language learning in the digital wilds, with a focus on self-identified highly-motivated learner-memers in a university-level student-run Chinese-English intercultural chat group. Data sources included meme artifacts, screen shots, and recordings of meme-related communicative practices as well as semi-structed interviews with each participant. Analysis suggests there were four affordances perceived and utilized by the participants, including linking learners to emergent semiotic repertoires, L2 user agency, increased motivation, and personhood development. Key to learners’ experiences was their awareness of perceived semiotic affordances and their agency to participate in meaning making for potentially meaningful learning experiences. We conclude with pedagogical implications for integrating the rich semiotic resources of memes into language classrooms.

Description

Keywords

Social Semiotics, Memes, Multimodality, Ecological Perspective

Citation

Han, Y., & Smith, B. E. (2023). An ecological perspective on the use of memes for language learning. Language Learning & Technology, 27(2), 155–175. https://hdl.handle.net/10125/73507

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/10125/73507

Extent

Format

Geographic Location

Time Period

Related To

Related To (URI)

Table of Contents

Rights

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Rights Holder

Local Contexts

Collections

Volume 27 Number 2, February 2023 Special Issue: Semiotics in CALL
Email libraryada-l@lists.hawaii.edu if you need this content in ADA-compliant format.