Language and Personality

[Mischz]

For bilingual/bicultural individuals: does switching between two languages alter your personality?

"Bicultural people may unconsciously change their personality when they switch languages, according to a US study on bilingual Hispanic women."

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Comments and discussion?

(P.S. I also started a similar thread in the INTP forum. Testing variance in the two types =X)

[Marcus]

I think I do that. A part of your personality (but not the type) comes from your culture and you can switch that by changing the language, if you have picked up the other language in a different culture.

[AutisticCuckoo]

I'm probably more extroverted (or less introverted, if you like) when I'm in English mode. But I can't say for sure whether that's because my personality changes or if it's due to foreigners being more approachable and easy-going than the Swedes I'm usually surrounded by. :)

[Homini Lupus]

Thinking in english is a bit slower process to me right now, it requires a bit more processing hence what I write is even less spontaneous than when I write in my first language. I'm not sure if it really changes my personality, but it's quite likely to change my *perceived* personality. I know what are the hidden judgements of value of italian words and structures because I'm more used to them and I had more occasions to see the reactions of people when I used them; I also have more experience with quotes since I mostly read books and watch films in my language. All this summed up probably makes me look a bit less open than what I actually am, and less witty. Using often a foreign language also has consequences on your first language (you use structures and words in an unusual way replicating foreign structures).

[Monte314]

Is this a "cause", or is it an "effect"? You switch languages because you are about to adopt an interaction designed for a different culture; I would think that change in mindest is the source of any observed change, not the incidental linguistic phenomenology.

[Marcus]

Is this a "cause", or is it an "effect"? You switch languages because you are about to adopt an interaction designed for a different culture; I would think that change in mindest is the source of any observed change, not the incidental linguistic phenomenology.

I change even when I use a different language to communicate with the same person. Language recalls the cultural norms, if you have learned the language in a different culture.

[mkay]

I get louder when I speak Cantonese than when I speak English. Cantonese speakers are generally loud. When friends would call when I was a kid, they'd often ask whether my parents were fighting. Nope. Just being Cantonese, lol.

[Seppuku Savant]

I speak a few languages. My personality doesn't change with any of them. Though, as someone mentioned above, I might be a bit slower with a certain language. I'm not extroverted anyway. So, on the outside people wouldn't notice any differences.

[WiredBrain]

One part of the study got the volunteers to watch TV advertisements showing women in different scenarios. The participants initially saw the ads in one language – English or Spanish – and then six months later in the other.

Researchers David Luna from Baruch College, New York, US, and Torsten Ringberg and Laura Peracchio from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, US, found that women classified themselves and others as more assertive when they spoke Spanish than when they spoke English.

"In the Spanish-language sessions, informants perceived females as more self-sufficient and extroverted," they say.

For example, one person saw the main character in the Spanish version of a commercial as a risk-taking, independent woman, but as hopeless, lonely, and confused in the English version.

As the article says, this was only one part of the study, and possibly even this part had more detailed information to consider than as far it's explained, but... how does a change in perception necessarily implies a change in personality? :huh:

[Saint]

As the article says, this was only one part of the study, and possibly even this part had more detailed information to consider than as far it's explained, but... how does a change in perception necessarily implies a change in personality? :huh:

Good catch. If anything, the only conclusion that could be drawn is that we perceive the personality of other people to be different based on their language.

[Marcus]

As the article says, this was only one part of the study, and possibly even this part had more detailed information to consider than as far it's explained, but... how does a change in perception necessarily implies a change in personality? :huh:

It can change whether your response is thinking or feeling based, for example.

[Mischz]

Thank you everyone for your input. I have been giving it some thought.

Is this a "cause", or is it an "effect"? You switch languages because you are about to adopt an interaction designed for a different culture; I would think that change in mindest is the source of any observed change, not the incidental linguistic phenomenology.

HMM. Monte, so the shift in mindset per se does not translate into a shift in 'personality'? What do you mean by 'mindset'.

It can change whether your response is thinking or feeling based, for example.

A very real point, imo. When I switch to Mandarin, I tend to become more feeling than thinking based. Not sure if it's because of my (limited) knowledge of the language or because of a switch in mindset, or because of the people I am talking to.

Could very well be all, or a mix.

[Marcus]

Not sure if it's because of my (limited) knowledge of the language or because of a switch in mindset, or because of the people I am talking to.

Could very well be all, or a mix.

I think it's culture. The culture determines the preferred/acceptable thought patterns, and you pick them up with the language. I think that you can pick up cultural patterns online, but it is much more profound if you live in a different culture for a while.

[mkay]

I think it's culture. The culture determines the preferred/acceptable thought patterns, and you pick them up with the language. I think that you can pick up cultural patterns online, but it is much more profound if you live in a different culture for a while.

Good point. Body language, personal space, etc., factor in. Like if you spoke Italian and used a lot of hand gestures, those gestures wouldn't necessarily translate into another culture, so you'd probably tone it down. I don't know whether that's an expression of personality, though. ... Some cultures, it's seen as more acceptable to disagree openly; others, not so much. Again, not sure whether that's personality exactly.

[Marcus]

Again, not sure whether that's personality exactly.

I think that culture builds into your personality. You do not choose to act like that, you have learned it and it became an automatism. You don't notice it in your own culture group, but it becomes apparent if you move. You can adapt with time, of course. And it's not just about gestures, but also about patterns of behavior. A lot of your thought patterns is culturally ingrained.

[mkay]

I think that culture builds into your personality. You do not choose to act like that, you have learned it and it became an automatism. You don't notice it in your own culture group, but it becomes apparent if you move. You can adapt with time, of course. And it's not just about gestures, but also about patterns of behavior. A lot of your thought patterns is culturally ingrained.

Yup, I definitely agree with that. I think it's especially noticeable if you grow up between cultures, like being from an immigrant family, for instance.

[Marcus]

Yup, I definitely agree with that. I think it's especially noticeable if you grow up between cultures, like being from an immigrant family, for instance.

For me, living in a different culture was as revelatory as getting know my type. Both experience told me that you don't really decide over how to act most of the time. But awareness of it can give you more understanding and freedom.

[mkay]

For me, living in a different culture was as revelatory as getting know my type. Both experience told me that you don't really decide over how to act most of the time. But awareness of it can give you more understanding and freedom.

Well said. What culture did you come from and which culture did you go to?

I was raised in the U.S. with two cultures and then spent time overseas. Being overseas was a big learning experience for me, too. Being out of my element is something I relish. Lots to learn.

[Marcus]

Well said. What culture did you come from and which culture did you go to?

Hungary->France, but moving back after a while was also an experience.

I was raised in the U.S. with two cultures and then spent time overseas. Being overseas was a big learning experience for me, too. Being out of my element is something I relish. Lots to learn.

There is a saying like: "How many languages you know, as many persons you are."

[Keith]

This is something I noticed in my own speech a while back and filed away in my... mental file of observations. When I become emotional (e.g., irritated) I sound more Southern, while when I'm discussing a technical or intellectual topic I adopt a more Midwestern/"General American"/"TV American" accent. I can never completely get rid of my Southernness, though.

[Antares]

I never realized that before!

When I speak English, I am sometimes overly formal, sarcastic and biting.
When I speak Mandarin, I'm even-tempered and poetic.
When I speak French, I'm concise and brisk.
When I speak Cantonese, I'm witty and crude.
I don't speak Latin.

[mkay]

I never realized that before!

When I speak Mandarin, I'm even-tempered and poetic.

When I speak Cantonese, I'm witty and crude.

Yup, I can see that. Mandarin is much more polite and refined. Cantonese value snappy comebacks and witticisms (often at others' expense), and the curse words and slang are so flavorful. English swear words pale by comparison. Sometimes, I curse in Chinese in my head because it's more satisfying than in English.

[Ytterbium]

I grew up bilingual and I think I have two modes. When I speak Swedish I'm myself but when I speak Finnish I become even more thoughtful and introverted. Possibly because I don't speak Finnish that often and the grammar is completely different. As I learned these languages by either parent, they became like two paths with few crossroads linking them together. Which in turn makes translation somewhat difficult, also partly due the languages are completely unrelated.
So when I'm about to visit my Finnish relatives, the boat trip over becomes transition phase into my Finnish mode. When I'm in my Finnish mode the language I usually speak best becomes gibberish and harder for me to understand.

[Rafael]

I think that's true... I know Portuguese, Spanish and english, and my personality change a bit when I'm talking those three languages...

:thinking:

:idea:
MUST learn latin!

[Marcus]

Which in turn makes translation somewhat difficult, also partly due the languages are completely unrelated.

Bilinguals are usually not at ease with translation because they did not learn one language in reference to another one.

[mkay]

I think that's true... I know Portuguese, Spanish and english, and my personality change a bit when I'm talking those three languages...

Just curious: What is your personality like in those languages?

[Ytterbium]

Bilinguals are usually not at ease with translation because they did not learn one language in reference to another one.Sounds true. I learned English in reference to Swedish so it's easier to translate inbetween those two.
Even though I usually speak Swedish without difficulties. It becomes very hard for me to express myself when I'm in my Finnish mode or the other way around. Do you have an explanation to that too?

[Marcus]

It becomes very hard for me to express myself when I'm in my Finnish mode or the other way around. Do you have an explanation to that too?

Could you give an example? BTW, what do you mean by "or the other way around"?

PS: For me it's more difficult to translate between English and French than between Hungarian (my reference) and English, or Hungarian and French, despite, that Hungarian is as different from them as Finnish. But it probably comes down to practice.

[Ytterbium]

Could you give an example? BTW, what do you mean by "or the other way around"?

PS: For me it's more difficult to translate between English and French than between Hungarian (my reference) and English, or Hungarian and French, despite, that Hungarian is as different from them as Finnish. But it probably comes down to practice.If I'm on vacation in Finland and in my Finnish mode. Then if my Swedish speaking father asks me something. I have a hard time understanding really what he means, my answer will sound stumbled and retarded. Same goes if I'm in Sweden and a Finnish relative asks me something. I've never studied Finnish as it's literally my mothertongue. Swedish is however the language I use mostly as I grew up in Sweden and got my education through it. So normally I'm Swedish speaking. When I go to Finland I only speak Finnish and thus slightly change myself/personality. I start to "think" in Finnish and dream in Finnish at night.

I spoke Finnish on the phone with my mother's sister. Then my mother asks something in Swedish, I answer. Then I continue to speak on the phone... In Swedish. Until I got interupted and told to continue in Finnish.

In your case I think it's how used you are to express yourself in two languages. It's how much you have "bridged" them together.
Even though I usually speak English quite well it also can catch me off guard. Especially when I speak Swedish and a question in English is raised. Then the answer can be quite stumbled.

Hungarian is quite interesting as it's one of few related to Finnish. Not close however, something like English is to Persian. There are some words with common roots the ancient words like hand or blood. Which is very similar if not identical in all Germanic languages.

[Marcus]

Hungarian is quite interesting as it's one of few related to Finnish. Not close however, something like English is to Persian. There are some words with common roots the ancient words like hand or blood. Which is very similar if not identical in all Germanic languages.

Sure, we learn about that in school. The closest match is the following sentence:
"éelävä kala uiskelee veden alla"
"eleven hal úszkál a víz alatt"
"the lively/living fish is swimming under the water"
But nothing much beyond that. Apparently the contact was lost thousands of years ago (when Hungarians changed fishing for horse riding on the steppe).

If I'm on vacation in Finland and in my Finnish mode. Then if my Swedish speaking father asks me something. I have a hard time understanding really what he means, my answer will sound stumbled and retarded. Same goes if I'm in Sweden and a Finnish relative asks me something.
It might be different, but I also need some time when switching to English or French from Hungarian, when speaking. Do you think that it's rather the acoustics, or words and grammar which make you stumbled?

I start to "think" in Finnish and dream in Finnish at night.
I found that it depends on the language you use for daily communication. When you think/dream then you usually have an internal communication with someone speaking the local language. (I also started to think/dream in French when I was in France, but it took me several months.) BTW, do you switch the language in your head when reading numbers? Non bilingual people tend to read numbers in their mother tongue.

I spoke Finnish on the phone with my mother's sister. Then my mother asks something in Swedish, I answer. Then I continue to speak on the phone... In Swedish. Until I got interupted and told to continue in Finnish.
I think it's only that you are not aware that not everybody understand both languages. I also have something similar if both English and French speakers are present.

In your case I think it's how used you are to express yourself in two languages. It's how much you have "bridged" them together.
Sure, I did very little translating between French and English.

Even though I usually speak English quite well it also can catch me off guard. Especially when I speak Swedish and a question in English is raised. Then the answer can be quite stumbled.
That's what I have, too. I need time to mentally switch.

[Ytterbium]

Sure, we learn about that in school. The closest match is the following sentence:
"éelävä kala uiskelee veden alla"
"eleven hal úszkál a víz alatt"
"the lively/living fish is swimming under the water"
But nothing much beyond that. Apparently the contact was lost thousands of years ago (when Hungarians changed fishing for horse riding on the steppe).Here's a couple of words (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) which are similar.
Estonian is however very close to Finnish, even I understand it to some extent.

It might be different, but I also need some time when switching to English or French from Hungarian, when speaking. Do you think that it's rather the acoustics, or words and grammar which make you stumbled?Words always, grammar mostly when switching from Swedish to Finnish.

I found that it depends on the language you use for daily communication. When you think/dream then you usually have an internal communication with someone speaking the local language. (I also started to think/dream in French when I was in France, but it took me several months.) BTW, do you switch the language in your head when reading numbers? Non bilingual people tend to read numbers in their mother tongue.I'm not sure never thought of it. It depends on how much I'm in the different modes. I would think that I think the numbers in the language mode I'm currently in. Unless I suppress it by force i.e thinks in Swedish but tries to talk Finnish. Which is quite hard, that's why I usually change to "Finnish mode" while in Finland.
While I write this to you in English I think of numerals (1, 2) in Swedish but written numbers (one, two) in English.

I think it's only that you are not aware that not everybody understand both languages. I also have something similar if both English and French speakers are present.I did know that she didn't speak Swedish. But the interuption probably did something strange to me. Interuptions in general tend to mess up my mind.

Sure, I did very little translating between French and English.But it's still easy?


That's what I have, too. I need time to mentally switch.Same here. It just takes longer between Swedish/Finnish than Swedish/English.

[Marcus]

Here's a couple of words (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.) which are similar.

Thanks, bookmarked it.

Estonian is however very close to Finnish, even I understand it to some extent.
I once met an Estonian girl who was not aware of the common origin. I had to enlighten her about words like 'hand' and 'heart'.