Project Director

Scott, Cathy B.

Department Examiner

Merchant, Lorri

Department

School of Professional Studies

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This qualitative study explored how bilingual and multilingual adults experience emotional detachment when using a second language and how language shapes emotional expression. This study aimed to examine how bilingual individuals personally experience these emotional differences in everyday life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six bilingual or multilingual adults from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed five major themes: emotional detachment in a second language, reduced emotional intensity and meaning, increased cognitive effort and emotional fatigue, authenticity and emotional comfort in the first language, and identity and personality shifts across languages. Participants consistently described feeling less emotionally connected and less authentic when communicating in their second language, while their first language was associated with greater emotional depth and self-expression. The findings suggest that language influences not only communication, but also emotional experience, identity, and interpersonal connection. From a social work perspective, these results highlight the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive practice when working with bilingual and multilingual individuals.

IRB Number

STUDY00000274

Degree

B. S. W.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Social Work.

Date

5-2026

Subject

Bilingualism--Psychological aspects; Language and emotions; Second language acquisition--Psychological aspects

Keyword

Emotional detachment; bilingualism; emotional expression; second language; foreign language effect; multilingual social work

Discipline

Modern Languages

Document Type

Theses

Extent

iv, 18 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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