Possibilities for “Hanashiai”: New Perspectives of Learning Through Dialogue withDifferent Others

Abstract

This paper examines how people change through dialogues with different others, using ethnographical observation and conversation/discourse analysis. It also attempts to interpret the results of the analysis from the viewpoint of learning. In the field of life-long learning, there are two kinds of learning: formative learning - a theory of child learning, and transformative learning for adult learning. This paper examines group discussions among adults which were conducted towards problem-solving from three perspectives: (1) diachronic observation focusing on a target person, (2) comparative analysis of different types of discourse, and (3) conversation analysis from a micro perspective. The analysis showed: (1) changes from passive to active attitudes, (2) recognition of participants’ social roles and strengthening of group membership identity, and (3) facilitating mutual understanding through gaining new perspectives towards others. The analysis indicates that people change through dialogue with different others and that the changes lead to formative learning.