New Developments in Taigu Communication Research and Education Incorporating a Multimodal Communication Perspective

<p>'Taigu Communication' has produced numerous research studies and educational results. However, as we ascertain from following the academic journal "TAIGU-COMMUNICATION," the results have concentrated on language, which is not in line with the thinking at our intuition that "communication does not consist of language alone." Considering communication research and education with a view to understanding communicative acts other than language alone is an important challenge for the future. In this paper, I discuss the multimodal perspective of Taigu Communication and multimodal communication research as a holistic approach to Taigu Communication.</p><p>As for research question 1, I examined the concepts of baizai, genzai and bunwa related to form, from a multimodal perspective. Regarding baizai, I explained there are other, nonverbal, baizai such as facial expressions and eye contact in addition to voice and text, and that multiple mediatization occurs at the same time with all of these aspects being interconnected. Regarding genzai, I presented the idea of “communication zai,” and argued that this could lead to a "communication = action" view of communication. Regarding bunwa, if we adopt a multimodal perspective, we can consider sign language, Morse code, and other forms of communication that are not included in writing and discourse.</p><p>Research question 2 is addressed in the discussion in Chapter 4, which includes: (1) research on communicative acts using baizai in contexts other than voice and text and the linkage of the five elements related to these acts, (2) research from the perspective of politeness theory and keii communication, and (3) Taigu Communication research based on the view of teaching and learning situations as communicative situations.</p>