The 3rd Encountering Languages Symposium: “How Many Languages Add Color to You?: Living a ‘Fukufuku’ Life” Held

On Sunday, October 19, 2025, we held the 3rd Encountering Languages Symposium titled “How Many Languages Add Color to You?: Living a ‘Fukufuku’ Life.” The theme of this time was “Plurilingual and Pluricultural.” Through talks by individuals with foreign roots active in various fields, we aimed to help participants recognize the existence of “languages” that add color to our lives without us knowing and rediscover their richness.

The organizer of the symposium, the Diversity & Community Engagement Research Center, affiliated with the Graduate School of Humanities, was established in 2023 with a view to supporting the efforts of local communities, local governments, and schools to help children with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds—such as those with foreign roots—grow up leveraging their languages and backgrounds with a sense of pride in their own roots, thereby acting as an intermediary between languages and cultures, as well as between people.

For the first time, we included an interactive program for attendees. Participants engaged with their own plurilingual and pluricultural selves through drawing “language portraits,” a linguistic technique for expressing one's relationship with various languages and cultures. Sharing these portraits with other participants also provided opportunities for new discoveries and insights.

The symposium began with an introduction to the activities and the philosophy of the UOsaka Fukufuku Center by Professor Masaaki Shimizu (Head of the Division of Foreign Studies, Graduate School of Humanities/Director of the Diversity & Community Engagement Research Center, Graduate School of Humanities). He explained the theme of “plurilingual and pluricultural,” highlighting its distinction from “multilingual and multicultural.”

The first part of the symposium featured a lecture by Masao Nomura, an UOsaka alumnus and radio DJ, who has Japanese and Italian roots. Drawing on his own experience studying Italian at Osaka University of Foreign Studies, he spoke about the significance of learning languages.

Next, we had a lecture by Sahel Rosa, an actress and TV personality with Iranian roots. The “languages” of local children, translated by Sahel—who is also dedicated to support activities in refugee camps—quietly resonated throughout the venue.

The second part of the symposium began with a stunning vocal performance by Saigo Someya, vocalist of the music group FUNKIST. Drawing on his South African roots, he spoke through the medium of music as a language about the impact of apartheid on his life and the love that transcends borders within his family. The event was a great success, with original songs matching the theme of the day and performances inviting everyone to jump along, creating a lively atmosphere.

Finally, a talk session was held with Nomura, Sahel, and Someya. The three speakers, who have engaged with and worked to communicate “languages” from different standpoints and methods, shared their perspectives.
Participants also had the opportunity to directly ask questions to those who drew the language portraits, making the reflection on “language” feel more personal and accessible.
At the session's close, Professor Sayo Tsutsui, Dean of the School of Foreign Studies, joined the stage, where they discussed how each person carries different “languages” within themselves and the importance of embracing and enjoying those differences.

Some comments from participants:
・The event was extremely educational. I reckon it conveyed the significance of the School of Foreign Studies and its Graduate School being located in Minoh.
・I've always considered language to be a tool, but through listening to the talks and engaging with my own language during the workshop, I realized that while language has that aspect, it should be considered something more than just a tool, something more organic.
・It was a wonderful event that could potentially change how I live my life going forward.
・It was intriguing to learn about the richness of pluricultural and plurilingual and the importance of learning about ourselves.
・As an alumnus, I didn't fully grasp how studying foreign languages broadens our horizons back then, which I can now appreciate thanks to the lecture today.

The “Encountering Languages Symposium” is scheduled to be held again next year. We plan to offer a new perspective, delivering a program that allows you to experience the importance and fascination of language. Please stay tuned!

(About the Symposium)
UOsaka Minoh Campus, as OUGC (Osaka University Global Campus), carries the mission of connecting local citizens with the world through the research achievements in foreign languages and foreign area studies. The “Encountering Languages Symposium” has been held since 2023 as an opportunity to provide learning experiences centered on the theme of “language” for citizens.
Venue: Minoh Theatre for The Performing Arts (Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall Minoh) Main Hall
Co-hosted by: Diversity & Community Engagement Research Center, Graduate School of Humanities, the University of Osaka
In cooperation with: Minoh Association For Global Awareness (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation), Center for Japanese Language and Culture/ Kaitokudo for the 21st Century
Supported by: Minoh City / Minoh City Board of Education

Related Links:
Diversity & Community Engagement Research Center, Graduate School of Humanities (link in Japanese)