EJI (English Journal of Indragiri) : Studies in Education, Literature, and Linguistics
Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): EJI (English Journal of Indragiri): Studies in Education, Literature, and Ling

Cultural Identity in Children's Books: Multilingualism and Cultural Pride in The Name Jar

Muhammad Arifandi Yacub (Universitas Sumatera Utara - Indonesia)
Firja Adica (Universitas Sumatera Utara - Indonesia)
Adrian David Rafael Siburian (Universitas Sumatera Utara - Indonesia)
Rafi Isham Fadhlillah (Universitas Sumatera Utara - Indonesia)
Muhammad Yusuf (Universitas Sumatera Utara - Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
10 Jul 2026

Abstract

Children's literature contributes immensely towards constructing the cultural identities of immigrants and minority language learners, but research focusing on analyzing particular multilingual picture books from a multimodal perspective is scarce. The current research focuses on the analysis of The Name Jar (Choi, 2001) as a multilingual picture book in order to understand the ways’ cultural identity representations are created and negotiated in a Korean-American environment. A qualitative case study methodology was used where multimodal content analysis (Krippendorff, 2019; Kress & van Leeuwen, 2006) and thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) techniques were applied to the verbal text, illustrations, paratext, and Korean-script sections of the book. Four themes were derived: cultural identity through naming; text as a mirror and window; visualizing multilingualism; and pedagogical possibilities of the text. The findings of the current research demonstrate that The Name Jar creates a complex counter-narrative of assimilation by promoting hybrid identity while the Korean script is more than just a decoration but also a multimodal semiotic resource. Overall, multilingual picture books like The Name Jar have great potential as pedagogical materials for intercultural education and promoting the heritage language identity.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

eji

Publisher

Subject

Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

EJI (English Journal of Indragiri): Studies in Education, Literature, and Linguistics is a scientific journal issued by the English Study Program FKIP Islamic University of Indragiri Tembilahan Riau. It includes authentic studies, conceptual, and best work articles in English education, literature, ...