The Application of Non-language Symbols in Japanese Games from the Perspective of Cross Cultural Communication--Take”Animal Crossing” as an Example

Abstract

In cross-cultural communication in electronic games, non-language symbols’ application scope and methods are very diverse. Studying the design and application of non-language symbols in Japanese games in cross-cultural communication can assist Chinese games in going global and contribute to the dissemination of excellent traditional Chinese culture. This article takes “Animal Crossing” as an example to analyze how nonverbal symbols are used in cross-cultural communication from scene, character, and plot setting. Finding that non-language symbols in the game assist language symbols, integrate players’ feelings, shape a complete scene, and promote cultural exchanges. It is concluded that Chinese games can build a perfect non-language symbol system from three aspects: digging deeply into the culture with national characteristics, looking for universal non-language symbols, and using non-language symbols from multiple perspectives so as to achieve the goal of cross-cultural communication.