Multilinguals’ language preference for communicating emotions

Emotions are at the heart of social interactions, and the ability to perceive and express them accurately is crucial for mental wellbeing. Foreign language users face particular challenges in this respect because emotion words and concepts do not always overlap between languages and their emotional resonance differs in the mouth and ears of multilinguals. 

In this event, Professor Dewaele will explain how declarations of love or swearwords in a foreign language may feel deceptively harmless or inauthentic. He will also highlight how strategic code-switching can be highly beneficial for multilinguals in psychotherapy, where discussing traumatic events in the foreign language can allow clients to distance themselves from the trauma.

This event will be particularly useful for those interested in multilingualism and multicultural diversity in our society.

Multilingualism and Diversity: Impact on Education, Health and Society seminar series

This seminar series aims to bridge science with practice in education. Leading experts in linguistics, psychological sciences and neurosciences will engage with education practitioners, parents, students and members of the public who have an interest in multicultural diversity and inclusion. 

Related links

• Multilanguage and Cognition Lab
• Department of Psychology and Human Development