Warning: Google Translate link!
I recently read the linked article which revolves around a thought experiment (Train rushes towards 5 people, you can rescue them by pushing a single person in front of the train. Would you do it?). Apparently, the answer varies, depending on the question being asked in their native language or in another language the people spoke. They worked together with psychologists to understand this relation and the reason according to them seems to be, that the native language resonates stronger in the emotional part of the brain and therefore changes the outcome of an emotional and moral question like this.
If you speak any foreign language, how much do different do you think you appear compared to others? Compared to your 'usual' self, so if you would meet them or have contact with them in your native language? Do you think it has a big difference? My fiancee is not the same nationality as me, so we communicate in English mainly, even though it's not my native language and sometimes I wonder, when her foreign language is good enough, if she might think different about some parts or opinions of me, just because I will be able to express them differently. Do you think that changing languages over the long run in a relation will change things later on? I'm more curious than concerned, but it will be interesting to see. Did you ever use a foreign language to 'hide' something or gain a benefit in a certain situation?
Arab me is just sassier me. Though, it's also more-respectful me. "What" in English sounds way ruder to my parents than "what" in Arabic, especially because there are few variations of it on the politeness level. "Shinoo?" is different from "fe shnoo?" is different from "aye?" This is based on the Sudanese dialect, I should add. HAH. Yeah. Nothing too petty, but it helps when you need to discuss something without other people in earshot. Think "whispering", but I can shout it to whoever from across the room.Did you ever use a foreign language to 'hide' something or gain a benefit in a certain situation?
French speaking me is snob. I can't help it. When I speak in french even my posture changes. Maybe it comes from the way people treat you when they think you are french. Arabic me is familiar. I don't speak fluently but when I meet arabic speaking people they get all excited because the odds are close to nil. I get the inside scoop right away. Fulani (my native language), is respectful. It's hard to imagine a fulani speaking person scream. It is very soft and implies respect and humility. Almost every sentence ends with a praise. English speaking me (I live in LA) just doesn't care. "You know how it is" it feels like I have problem making commitments or being clear about anything. This is felt most when I bring my french speaking friends with my english speaking ones. It becomes exhausting to make the switch. The language definitely affects my way of talking and my personality. But then again, language is not just about syntax, it's a culture.
I've studied a few languages, but the only other one I can think in is French. Most of my French has been with a Quebec focus, so I couldn't have a hidden moment except in front of other English speakers. This is especially true in Montreal, where most folks know enough of both languages that you'd need to say it in Spanish to be hidden.
I'm learning a foreign language now, but I'm still very much at the beginning. When I talk to my language learning friends who know English very well, they tell me that they feel more outgoing. I don't know if that's just because of being somewhat removed from people who know you, or if it has something to do with the English language itself and the culture around it.
I definitely agree. When I swear in Korean the curses have more emotional weight, whereas swearing in English just doesn't have the same emotional "release." Also, since Korean culture is very much hierarchical (in that your mannerisms are more submissive/obedient towards elders) my voice is higher pitched, whereas in English, my voice is notably deeper. Pretty interesting now that I think about it...that the native language resonates stronger in the emotional part of the brain and therefore changes the outcome of an emotional and moral question like this.