ABSTRACT
Second language users have frequently reported that concepts expressed in their first language have greater emotional resonance than concepts expressed in their second language. Prior work used electrodermal recording to verify this psychophysiologically. Late learners of English (Turkish-English bilinguals) rated words and phrases for unpleasantness while electrodermal responsiveness was recorded via finger-tip electrodes (Harris, Aycicegi, & Gleason, 2003). Taboo words and childhood reprimands (e.g., “Shame on you!”) were compared to neutral words, positive words (bride, joy) and negative words (cancer, death). Skin conductance amplitudes were greater in the second language (L2) than in the first language (L1). While skin conductance responses were overall largest for taboo words, the difference between L1 and L2 was greatest for the reprimands, indicating that hearing “Go to your room” caused little arousal when such phrases were read or heard in L2.
