Global Second Language Proficiency Predicts Self-Perceptions of General Sarcasm Use Among Bilingual Adults

The authors point out that each culture has a distinct set of features that contribute to a unique communication style. For example, bilinguals often balance multiple social contexts and may undergo cognitive changes that consequently support different communication styles. The authors examines how individual differences in bilingual experience affect one form of communication style: sarcastic and indirect language. A diverse sample of 116 largely bilingual adults (first language English) associated with Montreal's McGill University rated their likelihood of using sarcastic and indirect language across different daily settings. They also rated their second language experience. The authors concluded two key findings: Bilinguals use sarcasm for similar social functions as do monolinguals (general sarcasm, frustration diffusion, and embarrassment diffusion) and greater global second language proficiency linked to greater usage of general sarcasm in daily life. The authors argue that results suggest that bilinguals may use sarcasm to achieve various communicative goals and bilingual experience may affect general cognitive capacities that support sarcasm use across real-world contexts.

Journal of Language and Social Psychology

Vol. 38

no. 4

459-478

2019

en