FEELING DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES? WHAT DO POLYGLOTS SAY ABOUT IT?
Natalia Dankova
Pages: 22-31
Published: 22 Oct 2024
DOI: 10.62991/LIS1996387646
Views: 225
Downloads: 32
Abstract: This study focuses on multicultural polyglots who have lived in different countries and languages throughout their lives, maintaining strong ties to multiple countries. It is a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews. Forty-seven adult polyglots from various countries were interviewed. Participants speak between 4 and 35 languages and use several languages daily. Among the questions asked, one explores self-perception in different languages: do polyglots feel different when switching languages? While this question is not new in scientific literature, studies often focus on bilinguals or trilinguals. I propose to examine the perceptions of adult polyglots: do they feel different when using different languages? I will only analyze cases where mastery of the language is not an issue. Many respondents report feeling the same regardless of the language they use. I analyze the reasons provided for feeling different or not.
Keywords: multicultural polyglots, feeling different, self-perception in different languages, voice, stuttering
Cite this article: Natalia Dankova. FEELING DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES? WHAT DO POLYGLOTS SAY ABOUT IT?. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Language, Individual & Society 18, 22-31 (2024). https://doi.org/10.62991/LIS1996387646
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