Abstract: This study investigated the effect of integrating Blog Assisted Language Learning(BALL) and small culturally -mixed group work on improving the perceptions of intercultural communication and writing research projects of university students (n=102) of different cultures enrolled in Advanced Rhetoric classrooms in two American universities during a 16-week period. The study employed Pre-test/Post-test control group design whereby the... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the role of foreign tourism professionals in Japan as key agents of bridging social capital within the tourism industry. These individuals serve as cultural mediators, interpreting Japanese traditions, social norms, and practices for international audiences while facilitating connections between local communities and global visitors. The research adopts a participatory observation approach, in which the author... [...] Read more

Abstract: Contextual synonymy plays a significant role in contemporary media discourse by shaping semantic emphasis and emotional framing through figurative lexical choices. While previous research has examined metaphorical and evaluative language within individual domains, systematic cross-discursive comparisons remain limited. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the creation and functioning of contextual synonyms in medical, political,... [...] Read more