Citation:
Kyriakou A, Mavrou I, Palapanidi K. The role of foreign language in the experience and emotional expression of guilt: evidence from moral scenarios and autobiographical memoriesof bilinguals. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism [Internet]. 2024;27(10).
Abstract:
This study investigated the influence of language – first language (L1)versus second language (L2) – on the experience and the expression of
the emotion of guilt. Fifty-two Greek – Spanish bilinguals read two
moral scenarios that induced guilt in their L2 (Spanish) and rated the
intensity with which they felt a series of emotions (moral scenario task).
Then they were asked to recall and write about a real-life event that
made them feel guilty in their L2 (autobiographical memory task). A
month later they performed the same tasks in their L1. Content analysis
and emotional vocabulary analysis were conducted to examine crosslinguistic
differences in the expression of guilt. Overall, these bilinguals
experienced higher levels of guilt and regret when they read the moral
scenarios in their L1 Greek. They also used a greater number of emotion
words in their autobiographical memories in L1. However, they
appeared to be more willing to talk about sensitive topics (e.g.
infidelity, homosexuality, and death) in their L2. These findings have
implications for both psychotherapy and L2 instruction.