Virtual Session Room 1 Symposium
August 16, 2021 02:30 PM - August 16, 2022 06:00 PM(Europe/Amsterdam)
20210816T1430 20210816T1800 Europe/Amsterdam S022 | Communicating emotion in a foreign language: advantages and disadvantages of the detachment effect

The powerful associations formed between an L1 and early memories, sensations and emotions (Harris et al, 2006; Pavlenko, 2012) are often lacking in a foreign language (LX). Even 'balanced' multilinguals tend to report a preference for their first language (L1) when verbalising emotion and for emotional inner speech (Dewaele, 2015). Indeed, emotional expression appears to be a key driver for code-switching in multilinguals (Dewaele, 2013). Empirical research also shows that multilinguals have different physiological responses to emotional stimuli in different languages (Harris et al, 2003). However, the LX detachment effect can also help speakers to regulate uncomfortable emotions (Bond & Lai, 1986). The emotionality of an LX has implications for various domains where accuracy in expression and perception is crucial. These range from romantic relationships (Dewaele & Salomidou, 2017) to health care settings. In particular, emotional detachment of the LX can hinder or facilitate psychotherapeutic work depending on the situation (Buxbaum, 1949; Marcos, 1976; Rolland et al, 2017). The symposium will contrast the advantages (e.g. the disclosure of painful memories or the expression of feelings which are taboo in an L1) and disadvantages (muting the speaker's emotion and hindering authenticity) of the detachment effect in order to appreciate its complexities.

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Room 1 AILA 2021 aila2021@gcb.nl
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The powerful associations formed between an L1 and early memories, sensations and emotions (Harris et al, 2006; Pavlenko, 2012) are often lacking in a foreign language (LX). Even 'balanced' multilinguals tend to report a preference for their first language (L1) when verbalising emotion and for emotional inner speech (Dewaele, 2015). Indeed, emotional expression appears to be a key driver for code-switching in multilinguals (Dewaele, 2013). Empirical research also shows that multilinguals have different physiological responses to emotional stimuli in different languages (Harris et al, 2003). However, the LX detachment effect can also help speakers to regulate uncomfortable emotions (Bond & Lai, 1986). The emotionality of an LX has implications for various domains where accuracy in expression and perception is crucial. These range from romantic relationships (Dewaele & Salomidou, 2017) to health care settings. In particular, emotional detachment of the LX can hinder or facilitate psychotherapeutic work depending on the situation (Buxbaum, 1949; Marcos, 1976; Rolland et al, 2017). The symposium will contrast the advantages (e.g. the disclosure of painful memories or the expression of feelings which are taboo in an L1) and disadvantages (muting the speaker's emotion and hindering authenticity) of the detachment effect in order to appreciate its complexities.

Click here for detailed program

Detachment and uncertainty effects in evaluating moral dilemmas in a native vs. foreign languageView Abstract Watch Recording 0
FeaturedAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
Two patterns emerged when diverse moral dilemmas were evaluated by bilingual speakers. A detachment effect of reduced ethical choices was obtained when two simple choices were counterposed. In more complex vignettes, evaluating in a foreign language showed an uncertainty effect. This likely reflects fewer emotional resonances available to guide integration of multiple elements.
Presenters Catherine Catherine Caldwell-Harris
Director, Psycholinguistics Laboratory, Boston University
Co-authors
AA
Ayse Aycicegi-Dinn
Perception of emotional intensity by English first (L1) and foreign (LX) users in different communication modalitiesView Abstract Watch Recording 0
StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
This self-report study investigates how 1368 participants perceived the intensity level of a British female’s emotional experience. Overall, audiovisual stimuli yielded higher intensity ratings than audio-only stimuli. More surprisingly, L1 participants’ intensity ratings were lower than LX participants’ ratings. Moreover, proficiency was negatively correlated with intensity ratings.
Presenters Pernelle Lorette
Postdoc, University Of Mannheim
“Love has no Language BUT”: emotional de-(at)tachment of LX English in romantic relationshipView Abstract Watch Recording 0
Standard 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
By examining the data of romantic dyads with different linguacultural backgrounds who use English (as a lingua franca) which is a mother tongue for neither partner; the paper explores how far the couples are emotionally detached from their LX and how far this affects the accomplishment of their ‘coupleness’.
Presenters Svitlana KLÖTZL
Associate Researcher, University Of Vienna
A sense of safety and personal freedom: the role a foreign language plays in the rehabilitation of survivors of torture.View Abstract Watch Recording 0
StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
This small-scale qualitative study explores the role multilingualism plays in in the therapeutic experience of refugee torture survivors, within a supportive community. Fifteen community members were interviewed. The findings reveal that using English, a later-learned language for all of the interviewees, had unintended consequences contributing to positive therapeutic outcomes.
Presenters Sally Rachel Cook
Associate Research Fellow , Birkbeck College
Comparing the language(s) of private thoughts and talking therapy: how emotional is a foreign language?View Abstract Watch Recording 0
StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
Multilinguals' early languages are often associated with emotional expression and inner speech, although later languages can acquire emotional depth (Dewaele, 2013; Dewaele, 2015). This paper explores to what extent psychotherapy clients who used LX as the main therapy language report that this matched their language for inner speech.
Presenters Louise Rolland
Associate Research Fellow, Birkbeck, University Of London
'Am I sincere about my feelings?': the gains and losses of expressing emotions in a foreign languageView Abstract Watch Recording 0
StandardAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
Insights from 468 migrants revealed the emotional attachment to the first language as intensifying their feelings of difference when using the local language in emotional conversations. Participants' self-perceptions varied from a sense of detachment to liberation depending on the emotion being expressed, emphasising how language choice aligns to contextual needs.
Presenters Alex Panicacci
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, Queen Mary University Of London & University Of Washington
The language of encoding, cueing, and recall influences emotional intensity and valence of past autobiographical memories and imagined future eventsView Abstract
FocusedAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
Our study investigates the age profile, emotional intensity, vividness, and valence of autobiographical memories using the Galton-Crovitz cueing technique. The results suggest that our memories are profoundly shaped by the languages in which we encode, cue, and recall the events.
Presenters Brittany Blankinship
PhD Researcher, University Of Edinburgh
Co-authors
TB
Thomas Bak
The emotional weight of university-related vocabulary in Russian-English bilinguals online and offline: A skin conductance response and emotionality rating studyView Abstract Watch Recording 0
FocusedAILA Symposium 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
Russian-English bilinguals’ emotional reactivity was tested via skin conductance responses and emotionality ratings of stimuli presented in both languages. The stimuli were university-related emotionally-laden critical items and neutral control items. Critical items elicited significantly stronger reactivity than control items both online and offline, with comparable effects in Russian and English.
Presenters Norbert Vanek
University Of Auckland
Co-authors
AT
Artem Tovalovich
Foreign language peace of mind: A LX positive emotion drawn from L1 cultureView Abstract Watch Recording 0
Focused 02:30 PM - 06:00 PM (Europe/Amsterdam) 2021/08/16 12:30:00 UTC - 2022/08/16 16:00:00 UTC
Culture shapes the ways people perceive and verbalize emotions. The study presents a new positive emotion in LX learning, drawn from emotional preferences that encompass L1 culture.
Presenters Li Zhou
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Co-authors Jean-Marc Dewaele
Birkbeck, University Of London
KL
Katja Lochtman
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
YX
Yiheng Xi
Renmin University Of China
Director, Psycholinguistics Laboratory
,
Boston University
University of Auckland
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Associate Researcher
,
University of Vienna
PhD Researcher
,
University of Edinburgh
+ 5 more speakers. View All
Prof. Jean-Marc Dewaele
Birkbeck, University of London
Dr. Louise Rolland
Associate Research Fellow
,
Birkbeck, University of London
Ms. Sanne Van Eijsden
AILA2021 volunteer
,
University of Groningen
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Detachment and uncertainty effects in evaluatin...
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The emotional weight of university-related voca...
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Foreign language peace of mind: A LX positive e...
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“Love has no Language BUT”: emotional de-(a...
Submitted by Svitlana KLÖTZL 0 Download Presentation Submitted by Svitlana KLÖTZL 0 Download Presentation Submitted by Svitlana KLÖTZL 0 Download Presentation Submitted by Svitlana KLÖTZL 0
The language of encoding, cueing, and recall in...
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'Am I sincere about my feelings?': the gains an...
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Perception of emotional intensity by English fi...
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A sense of safety and personal freedom: the rol...
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Comparing the language(s) of private thoughts a...
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