The influence of immersion in the L2 culture on perception of the L1 culture-specific emotion of tęsknota

Abstract

Aims/objectives/purpose/ research questions: This study focuses on the relationship between the immersion in the L2 culture and changes in the perception of the L1 culture-specific emotion of tęsknota. It was designed to research the possible influence of such variables as immersion in the L2 culture, emotional intelligence (EI), frequency of the L1/L2 use and self-perceived L2 proficiency on the perception of emotion of tęsknota. Design/methodology/approach: Mixed methods were used in the present study. The qualitative method was used in order to elicit Polish culture-specific emotion of tęsknota by means of presenting the description of the given emotion in the participants’ L1 and L2. Three questionnaires (Personal background questionnaire; L1 and L2 use questionnaire, Trait Emotional Intelligence questionnaire) were used to gather sociobiographical and EI data. The quantitative method was used to gather sociobiographical and EI data. Data and analysis: Data from 97 Polish–English late bilinguals and Polish L2 users of English was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. Findings/conclusions: Data analysis showed that clear linguistic differences in the perception of L1 culture-specific emotion of tęsknota emerged between Polish L2 users of English who had never been abroad and Polish–English bilinguals/L2 users who had lived in an English-speaking country, even if both groups were similar as far as age, gender, educational level, EI and self-perceived L2 proficiency is concerned. Originality: This is the first study to the best of our knowledge that researches possible changes in the perception of culture-specific Polish emotion of tęsknota among Polish–English bilinguals and Polish L2 users of English. Significance/implications: The present research shows that in the case of the participants of this study, proficiency in a foreign language might lead to the conceptual shift in the perception of L1 emotion only while accompanied by immersion/socialisation into L2 culture.