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Many people notice that when they speak English, they seem to be different. Some become bolder, some more strict, some colder in their emotions. It’s not just intuition: linguists and psychologists have already proven that language and culture “turn on” certain patterns of behavior and emotions.

What exactly happens in your head

When you switch to another language, not only words are activated – cultural patterns, expectations, and manners are also activated. This mechanism is called cultural frame switching. For bilinguals, language acts as a trigger: the English-speaking frame is individualistic, more direct; the native frame is perhaps more reserved or collectivistic. This changes the way a person thinks, evaluates a situation, and expresses themselves.

Emotions in the L2: from distance to freedom

The second aspect is emotional distance. Many studies show that emotional reactions and the vocabulary of feelings differ between L1 and L2: English sometimes allows you to describe and even discuss difficult things more easily or with less involvement. For some, this is a defense – they can talk about painful things without the same internal “burning” feeling. For others, it is the key to more open self-expression.

Practical cases – what it looks like in real life

1. Business negotiations: Olena from Kyiv says that she seems more reserved and decisive in English; during meetings, she formulates her demands briefly and directly, and this works for her position in negotiations. This is a typical case where language activates a different “role”.
2. Personal relationships: Andriy, who is studying in an English-language program, noticed that he is more sociable and open with his foreign friends, while with his family he returns to a serious, reserved style. Here you can see how the context and interlocutors enhance the language effect.
3. Therapy and self-reflection: People who have undergone therapy in English sometimes find it easier to talk about traumas – the language reduces the “emotional charge”, allowing them to work with the topic more calmly. This confirms the concept of using L2 as a tool for distancing.

Does the “character” change forever?

Not really. Studies show that it is more of a change in personality expression than a complete transformation of the self. In other words, you don’t become a different person forever – you just get additional ways of behaving and thinking depending on the language context. And the higher your language competence and habit of using the language in different contexts, the smoother the switch.

Tips on how to use this effect to your advantage

● Practice your “role” consciously. If you want to be more confident at a job interview, practice answering questions in English, and hone your short formulations and strong phrases.

Try therapeutic L2 writing. If it’s hard to talk about emotions, write about them in English – it can give you distance and clarity.

Manage your emotions. If you notice that English makes you sound cold or “fake,” try consciously adding more congratulatory phrases and empathetic expressions to maintain sincerity.

● Develop cultural flexibility. The more you understand the cultural clichés and expectations of the language environment, the better you will be able to “turn on” the necessary traits without losing your core.

Unexpected benefits for language learning

In addition to communicative benefits, switching languages develops psychological flexibility: You learn to look at situations from different angles, adapt more easily to new cultural rules, and take risks because the “other language” gives you permission to behave differently. For an entrepreneur or a teacher, this is a real plus in negotiation or creative tasks.

A brief summary

English is not just a set of structures and words. It is also a tool of self-identification: it encourages you to try other roles, emotional states, and styles of behavior. For many people, it is a chance to find courage, express an opinion without excessive emotional stress, or vice versa – to learn to be direct and decisive. Research confirms that language switching is real and has measurable effects, but it doesn’t erase your “old self” – rather, it adds new tools to your toolbox.

If you want to not only learn English but also use it as a means of transforming your personality, ENGLISH.KH.UA is the place to do it. Here you will be offered not only grammar and vocabulary, but also practice in real-life situations: business negotiations, self-reflection, and communication. By immersing yourself in the language with us, you will get the key to new roles in life – a more confident leader, a more sincere person, a bolder dreamer. Allow yourself to grow, change and express yourself through English – and together we will discover new facets of your self.

References (for those who want to dig deeper)

● Chen, S. X., Benet-Martínez, V., & Bond, M. H. – Two languages, two personalities? Examining language effects on the expression of personality in a bilingual context. PubMed

● Benet-Martínez, V., Leu, J., Lee, F., & Morris, M. – Negotiating Biculturalism: Cultural Frame Switching in Biculturals. SAGE Journals.

● Aneta Pavlenko – Emotions and Multilingualism / Emotion and emotion-laden words in the bilingual lexicon.anetapavlenko.com+1

● Dewaele, J.-M. – research on the perception of self when switching languages (multilinguals feel different…).