Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in Modern Languages

First Advisor

Vance Schaefer

Second Advisor

Felice Coles

Third Advisor

Valentina Boris Iepuri

School

University of Mississippi

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

Acquiring an additional language, especially whose linguistic systems differ from a learner’s first language, such as English and Japanese, is quite challenging. However, the improvement of technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) has some potential in supporting language learning.

This study investigated how ChatGPT can assist learners of Japanese whose first language is English in writing Japanese narrative of a 4-panel story and what learners notice comparing their Japanese writing with ChatGPT’s production. This study followed three steps: writing, an online survey, and a one-on-one interview. Four undergraduate students who were taking either a 200-, 300- or 400-level Japanese course participated in this study.

The result showed that the participants most easily noticed the features of vocabulary and grammar by comparing the two versions of translations, while the difficulty in the participants’ Japanese writing was seen in tense selection, particle use, and sociocultural aspects. The participants’ perceptions of ChatGPT in learning Japanese were positive although they were unsure of the quality and accuracy of ChatGPT’s translations. This study concludes that their experience in Japanese narrative writing with ChatGPT led to their learning of the Japanese language, employing their noticing skill.

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