Abstract

Selected for use in 2 language arts textbooks for high schoolers, authorized by Ministry of Education 2023
Winner of 2020 Yaesu Book Center Prize

In this captivating memoir, researcher Dominique Chen takes readers on a journey across languages, cultures, and modes of expression. With poetic eloquence, he reflects on how multilingualism shaped his worldview from childhood. Chen’s seamless blending of personal narrative with philosophical rumination reveals a mind dancing across disciplines—from linguistics to computer science and beyond.

Far from being a dry academic tome, Chen’s prose brims with wit and humanity. We accompany a young Chen watching French and Japanese swirl together as he puzzles over the magical aura of kanji. We share his fascination with exploring digital worlds through the pixelated portals of 80s gaming consoles. Most touchingly, we witness the blossoming of insight as Chen “rediscovers the emergence of the relationship binding our family” while reviewing home videos with his toddler.

Author’s Information

Dominique Chen, Ph.D., born in Tokyo in 1981 holding French citizenship, is an information studies scholar, digital artist, and advocate of open culture. Since 2004, he has promoted Creative Commons licenses in Japan, founding Creative Commons Japan. In 2008, Chen founded the IT startup dividual inc., developing web services and apps expanding digital interaction. He has showcased his artistic creativity internationally at venues like the Triennale Milano and the Aichi Triennale.
Beyond art and technology, Chen is an acclaimed author on topics ranging from open-source philosophy to neo-cybernetics. His unique perspective reimagines relations between humans, technology, and nature. This is embodied in his invention NukaBot, an IoT robot fostering intimate bonds between humans and microbes. Chen’s journey from promoting open digital culture to human-microbe connections exemplifies his vision of technology as a means of deeper connection rather than just efficiency. He contributes to Japan’s well-being initiativ