From Words to Emotions: How Second Language Fluency Shapes Emotional Expression
Academic Skills Tutorial, Psychology 2024-2025
Module: Research Proposal
Name: Mualla Gün
Student number and group number: 4312309, workgroup 223
Name tutor: Michelle Huber
Date: 4/14/2025
Word Count: 828
, 2
From Words to Emotions: How Second Language Fluency Shapes Emotional Expression
Can our emotions be determined by the language we use—and how fluent are we in it?
According to Ladegaard (2018), bilinguals can often feel more detached from their second
language (L2) when expressing their emotions. This raises an important question: Could fluency
in the L2 be influential in terms of emotional expressiveness? While previous research in this
area has focused on factors such as code-switching or CS, emotional detachment and emotional
regulation, the influence of language fluency on emotional expressiveness remains largely
unexplored. According to a study by Ho(2009), language proficiency can influence the extent of
emotional expressiveness in bilinguals. Therefore, investigating its effect could address relevant
gaps in research and offer a better understanding of bilinguals and how they express their
emotions differently.
Further research in this area could improve approaches in therapy and psychological
treatments with bilingual patients, and enhance methods used in educational settings to assist
bilingual students. For instance, in a study by Verkerk(2024), findings show the importance of
multilingual psychotherapists’ and the need for awareness of their clients’ linguistic and cultural
backgrounds together with their role in the communication of emotions. In return, this can
facilitate better outcomes in therapy.
The author’s research aim is to examine the influence of language proficiency (LP) on
bilinguals' emotional expressions in their second language verbally, neurologically and
Academic Skills Tutorial, Psychology 2024-2025
Module: Research Proposal
Name: Mualla Gün
Student number and group number: 4312309, workgroup 223
Name tutor: Michelle Huber
Date: 4/14/2025
Word Count: 828
, 2
From Words to Emotions: How Second Language Fluency Shapes Emotional Expression
Can our emotions be determined by the language we use—and how fluent are we in it?
According to Ladegaard (2018), bilinguals can often feel more detached from their second
language (L2) when expressing their emotions. This raises an important question: Could fluency
in the L2 be influential in terms of emotional expressiveness? While previous research in this
area has focused on factors such as code-switching or CS, emotional detachment and emotional
regulation, the influence of language fluency on emotional expressiveness remains largely
unexplored. According to a study by Ho(2009), language proficiency can influence the extent of
emotional expressiveness in bilinguals. Therefore, investigating its effect could address relevant
gaps in research and offer a better understanding of bilinguals and how they express their
emotions differently.
Further research in this area could improve approaches in therapy and psychological
treatments with bilingual patients, and enhance methods used in educational settings to assist
bilingual students. For instance, in a study by Verkerk(2024), findings show the importance of
multilingual psychotherapists’ and the need for awareness of their clients’ linguistic and cultural
backgrounds together with their role in the communication of emotions. In return, this can
facilitate better outcomes in therapy.
The author’s research aim is to examine the influence of language proficiency (LP) on
bilinguals' emotional expressions in their second language verbally, neurologically and
