110. Two Languages, Two Personalities? What Science Says About Bilingual Brains

Find out how speaking different languages can influence personality traits and emotional experiences. Discover the fascinating science of cultural frame shifting and how bilingualism affects different aspects of our personality.
Learn about intriguing studies involving bilinguals and the role of emotional intelligence, and gain insights into how language impacts international business interactions.

And you, do you feel different when you speak different languages? Tell us in this post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7251873054123773954


Research:
Rezapour, R., & Zanjirani, S. (2020). Bilingualism and Personality Shifts: Different Personality Traits in Persian-English Bilinguals Shifting Between Two Languages.

Chen, S. X., & Bond, M. H. (2010). Two Languages, Two Personalities? Examining Language Effects on the Expression of Personality in a Bilingual Context.

Veltkamp, G. M., Recio, G., Jacobs, A. M., & Conrad, M. (2012). Is personality modulated by language? In International Journal of Bilingualism.

Ożańska-Ponikwia, K. (2012). What has personality and emotional intelligence to do with ‘feeling different’ while using a foreign language?

Ramírez-Esparza, N., Gosling, S. D., Benet-Martínez, V., Potter, J. P., & Pennebaker, J. W. (2006). Do bilinguals have two personalities? A special case of cultural frame switching.

Wedérus, T. (2017). Changing language, changing personality : Swedish bilinguals on the effects of speaking English (Dissertation).

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Transcript

[00:00:00] Welcome to Talaera Talks, your go-to podcast for succeeding in international business through effective communication. I'm Paola, and today we're diving into a topic that I think will really make you rethink what you thought you knew about yourself: How speaking another language might be shaping your personality.

[00:00:22] Have you ever felt a different version of yourself when speaking another language? Another language, maybe a bit bolder, more reserved, or even more playful. Well, it turns out this isn't just in your head. There's actual science behind it. And today we're exploring how being bilingual can surprisingly shape who we are.

[00:00:47] Let me share a fascinating study with you. Researchers found that Spanish-English bilinguals scored higher on traits like extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness when they took a personality test in English compared to Spanish. So just to explain, agreeableness refers to being friendly, helpful, and empathetic, while conscientiousness is about being responsible and organized.

[00:01:16] This shows that the language we speak can influence our [00:01:20] personality traits. It's not just about Spanish and English. Another study found that German- Spanish bilinguals were more extroverted and expressive in Spanish, but more helpful when speaking German. It's like, I don't know, different languages bring out different parts of who we are.

[00:01:41] And this has a name in science. It's called cultural frame shifting. Think of it like this. Each language carries the cultural values and norms that are baked into it. When bilinguals switch languages, they're also unconsciously shifting between these cultural frameworks. So even if someone learned both languages in the same environment, like for example, Chinese-English bilinguals from Hong Kong, this still showed these personality changes.

[00:02:15] More extroverted when speaking English, which aligns with Western norms, and more hardworking and organized when speaking Chinese, reflecting Eastern values. And here's where it gets even more interesting. So studies suggest that other people might notice these personality shifts more than the bilingual speakers themselves.

[00:02:39] For [00:02:40] example, in a study with Chinese-English bilinguals, observers, so people looking and then being aware of the situation, so people from the outside, um, picked up on stronger personality differences than the participants So it seems that our personalities adapt, subtly, maybe it's not a massive change, but it is noticeable to the language we're using and the people around us can pick up on this, you know, these nuances.

[00:03:14] And I think here's the key takeaway for non-native, um, speakers. Your emotional intelligence plays a role here, too. We've talked about emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence, uh, on Talaera Talks before. Uh, but it means that people who are, uh, People who score higher in emotional intelligence, meaning they're more aware of their emotions and how they influence their behavior, are more likely to see the changes, to notice changes in their own behavior when they switch languages.

[00:03:47] And this connection between language and personality also extends to how we experience emotions. Um, different languages can [00:04:00] evoke different emotional experiences. For example, here's another study, Swedish- English bilinguals reported feeling more comfortable expressing love in English. Think about that for yourself.

[00:04:14] Do you feel more comfortable expressing love and emotions in English or in your native language? Well, if you do feel more comfortable expressing emotions in English, one explanation is that using a second language creates a sense of emotional distance, making it easier to express sensitive feelings.

[00:04:38] This is also why it is sometimes said that negotiating in a second language gives you An advantage because you're not that emotionally involved and you can be more rational about it. So this is something to keep in mind, right? Especially when building relationships with colleagues and clients across cultures, but it's not always easy.

[00:05:02] Sometimes a negative experience while using a language, like when you're misunderstood or when people make fun of your, of your accent, or when you have an awkward moment, or when you have this fear of being judged or the feeling of not fully [00:05:20] belonging in sometimes in either language, it's like, you know, navigating two worlds, trying to find your footing and your voice in each one.

[00:05:30] So, if you're listening to this and you're a non-native English speaking professional, working internationally, I know how challenging it can be. But, it also comes with unique advantages. You're developing the ability to adapt, to shift between cultural frameworks and tap into different aspects of your personality.

[00:05:56] These are all valuable skills in any international business context. So if switching between languages can subtly change our personalities, well, what does that say about the power of language in general? I wonder, could the way we use language every day be shaping how we think, feel, and behave at work in ways we don't even realize?

[00:06:27] I honestly think this is something to think about as you continue to grow in your career. The way you communicate, whether in your native language or a second one, can impact [00:06:40] not just how others perceive you, but also how you perceive yourself.

[00:06:44] If you're working in an international team, understanding how language impacts personality can help you adapt your communication style. You might notice that some colleagues are more expressive or confident in one language than another, and you can use that knowledge to create a more inclusive environment.

[00:07:05] Or, in meetings, This awareness can help create a more supportive atmosphere as well. So if you notice that a colleague is less vocal in a particular language, try to create opportunities for them to contribute in ways that make them feel comfortable. You can also adjust your expectations. Based on how different languages may impact someone's willingness to speak up.

[00:07:33] And I really think this understanding can also help us be less judgmental with international colleagues and clients. So instead of assuming someone's, you know, shy or reserved, consider how the language they're using might be affecting their personality. And when we recognize these shifts, we can foster more empathy and patience in our interactions.

[00:07:59] Thanks for [00:08:00] tuning in to Talaera Talks today. I hope this episode gave you some valuable insights into the link between language, personality, and how you can leverage that to succeed in your international career.

[00:08:13] I will be leaving a link in the description. The episode notes, where I want to start a debate. We're going to add a link to a LinkedIn post where we'll be starting this conversation. I want to understand, do you feel different when you speak different languages? How is it for you? Do you feel like you can express your emotions better in your native language or in your second one?

[00:08:38] Well, until next time, keep exploring, keep questioning, and most importantly, keep learning.