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| Do we think and feel differently in different languages? |
Am I Nuts?
For those of you who are bilingual (or multilingual), are you aware of a difference in how you express yourself, depending on the language you choose? For example, are you more playful, serious, careful or humorous, when writing in one language versus another?
I know it probably seems like an odd question, but I've started to wonder about the relationship between language and personality, since I started exercising "Esmeralda," the Spanish side of my brain.
In my case, I've noticed a few things. For example, the Spanish side of my brain is irreverent and playful. She wants to poke fun at things. Other times, her emotions cut deeper than anything she could express in English words. She wants to open her heart.
Something else ... this girl, Esmeralda, keeps wanting to push my pen places the English side wouldn't normally go. How's that?
It's as though my Spanish mind is set to the age of the little girl who allowed herself to get swallowed up by English, and so many other things. Sounds strange. I know. Whatever the explanation, I'm both intrigued and a little afraid by it. We'll see where Ezzy and Esmeralda go. : )
Do you think it's possible to think and feel differently in different languages? If so, how much of this difference do you think has to do with a language's cultural origin?
What I find difficult is when people dismiss when they hear an accent. Automatically they assume you are not eloquent when in reality I can speak 3 languages.
ReplyDeleteI am not bilingual. I studied Spanish and French, but never really got it. I should have worked harder. I'm always jealous of those that are. What you write is fascinating though. I once read/heard (I can't particularly remember) that when you learn the language of a nation you incorporate a piece of its soul onto yourself. There's a reason why translations are never as good as reading the real thing. You lose a piece of the soul and original meaning of the work when something that was originally in French is translated into English or vice versa. One could say, as you say when you have gained personality traits when you speak English or Spanish, that it loses some of it's personality. Very interesting post. Language is a cool thing.
ReplyDeleteI COMPLETELY agree with you!!! I think I'm a lot more charming in Spanish and emotions are definitely a lot deeper. In English I think I'm kind of rude and abnoxious haha...and I have no feelings.
ReplyDeleteI think you can feel and express yourself in totally different ways depending on the language. I've noticed there are some things you can't even say in English that I now "get" in Spanish. The only people I can express this to are my hubby and amigas that understand the words I want to use. Interesting subject!
ReplyDeleteI am not multilingual and cannot comfortably speak any other language but English, but I have studied French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and German. Italian is the language I studied the longest and I remember dreaming in Italian. Those dreams were definitely more colorful and vivid than my dreams in English!
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I've learned that non-native English speakers need at least 7 years of English instruction before they can begin to process academic thoughts in English. It makes sense that you would have more creative or emotional thoughts in mother tongue. I agree with Alyssa--language is a cool thing!
@Adriana I really don't understand how people can be so ignorant. I'm sorry you've experienced that. These are probably the same ones who are proud to only be able to speak "English." I don't get the narrow view. I, for one, love accents.
ReplyDelete@Alyssa This is so insightful: "... that when you learn the language of a nation you incorporate a piece of its soul onto yourself." Also your remark about losing a part of the work's soul in translation. Language really is super cool. I'm glad I started exploring my mother tongue. Thanks for commenting! : )
@Tara I agree. Even when I do the English translation for Spanish Friday, I feel like some of the spirit of what I've written in Spanish is missing. The English part feels "flat." Something to be said for translations being an artform on their own. : D
@ Jen Geesh, woman! You've studied it all. I didn't know that about non-native speakers having a 7-year learning curve. I'm curious, does that curve grow the older the student? I'd be really interesting in hearing your thoughts on bilingual education. Thanks for commenting!
That's an interesting question! I only speak English, so can't offer a knowledgeable answer. I wonder, though, when hearing or speaking a particular language, do we associate the cultural background with it? French and Spanish, for instance, conjure up images of an emotional heritage of love and music. If we learn to speak those languages fluently might we relate more to the lifestyles and personalities that we associate with them?
ReplyDeleteIs Spanish your family's first language? Might you associate it with attitudes and freedoms during your youth? Just speculating here. :)
@Carol Hi there! Yes, Spanish is my first language. And this discrepancy between the English and Spanish sides of my brain is a new discovery for me. English became the dominant language in my household after I started school. I'm now "aware" of two distict personalities, but intertwined. Cool stuff! Thanks commenting. ; )
ReplyDeleteEzzy, The seven year learning curve is something I've learned about because of the tendency for English Language Learners to be placed in special education programs in schools. (I am working on a post that discusses that issue for MF!) But, yes, research shows it can take 7 to 10 years for a non-native speaker to be able to think critically in a foreign language. I don't know if that time period increases as you get older, but there are many studies showing that learning another language is easiest at a young age. In the US we are really different. Other countries teach foreign languages in elementary school, while we wait until kids are older--junior high or high school aged. Studies suggest that this is not the right approach because the parts of our brain that help with language acquisition are no longer functioning as well after age 18.
ReplyDeleteOn bilingual education--I have never, ever, in any of my studies heard from a professor that bilingual education is harmful. I can't think of any reason why anyone (except closed-minded, xenophobic people) could think it is harmful. Most schools in the world require bilingual education. Finland is reported as having one of the best school systems in the world and children there study multiple languages--their native Finnish and English are commonly taught. They also give parents choices about other languages--German and Russian are common because those countries border Finland. Last year parents demanded that a Finnish school teach in Spanish, too. Helsinki has Finland's first Spanish/Finnish bilingual elementary school. The only research I've seen that seems to legitimately question bilingual education states that the harm comes when families aren't given a choice about which language they'd like their children to learn. Forcing a child to learn a foreign language (or anything else, for that matter!) without the parents' support can hurt the child. But I have never heard anything specifically about bilingual education being harmful in my studies. I have heard only about the benefits!
I am sorry about my long-winded response. You raise many, many interesting points (as usual!)
Jen, thank you for coming back to answer my question! : D
ReplyDeleteI've never understood why there's such opposition to bilingual education in this country. I try to always think of the other side of the argument, no matter the issue, and aside from budgetary constraints, I can't think of any other legitimate reason to oppose it. If what you say is true, and it takes 7-10 years to develop critical thinking in a foreign language, killing bilingual education would create a second-class citizenry.
I'm proud to be an American. I take the good with the bad. But sometimes the reasoning behind some of our policy making seems flawed.
Will be looking forward to reading your post on the topic of bilingual education.
Esmeralda - :) - Awesome post! This is so true! I think that we definitely express ourselves differently in another language. I think that's part of why they call Spanish, Italian, etc. the romance languages. You become very passionate and emotional in your expressions. I know for me, I'm very passionate when I speak in Spanish. I dramatize each word and use more flowing gestures. I think that it's an important part of so many cultures that cannot be separated from the language. This is such an interesting topic and related to the post I wrote about code-switching. I definitely think it's something that every bilingual/multilingual individual experiences and it's a big part of what makes that journey special. <3
ReplyDeleteEzzy, I totally get what you mean, although for me it is the other way around. I learned English first and in that language, I am funnier (I am told) and feel free and allow myself to be silly. English is the language of my dreams and jokes and songs. Spanish for me is an academic language, the language of my ancestors, the language I use to teach and write and go to the bank every day so it has a different emotional charge. I think Alyssa is right, when you absorb a language, you absorb a culture and that is why the United States will always be in my heart. Lovely post, Esmeraldita preciosa!
ReplyDeleteFirst, I have to say that this post [in English] it's fun and playful. :) However, I do agree with you that different languages represent different attitudes. I believe it has to do with the culture of the language itself. I mean, in English there are many things I wouldn't say to a person than in Spanish (moreover, in Dominican Spanish) I'll say with no problem. So, I guess Esmeralda and you will do fine. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice post! I think my personality is pretty much the same in English or Spanish. Maybe it's because I grew up fully bilingual and bicultural. Both languages are just ME! However... I did grow up with 2 different regional personalities. My dad is from Chihuahua. People from Chihuahua have a big norteno accent and have rough/tough personalities. When I speak with my Chihuahua peeps, my "ch's" sound more like "sshh" and I use words that not a lot of people outside of Chihuahua understand like "meco," "moyotes," "chonte," etc. My mom is from Jalisco. I feel like people from Jalisco are a lot more polite and apologetic than people from Chihuahua and use the diminuitive to the extreme. "Ay, si porfavor, deme un poquitito. Me voy a quedar un ratitito mas si no es mucha molestia." My bf is from the Dominican Republic. No offense to Dominicans but I feel like Dominicans are more upfront and direct than Mexicans, especially Mexicans from Jalisco. So when I am around Dominicans, I have to throw the jalisciense out the door, and be more direct. I can also have more fun when around Dominicans and have learned a whole new vocabulary which I don't really use but that really comes in handy. :)
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, Alicia! How lucky you are to have grown up fully bilingual. I never really thought too much about regional differences, although, it makes total sense because it's the same when traveling within the U.S., e.g. differences between California (casual) and the Southern (formal) states. Loved learning about your Chihuahua and Jalisco personas.What you say about Dominican style of communication I find to be true. I have Dominican girlfriends and they are quite direct. : )
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