How frequency and intensity of exposure to a foreign language boosts its emotional resonance

• Jean-Marc Dewaele ^[3] ; Yasser Alsuhaibani ^[1] ; Sultan Altalhab ^[1] ; Wejdan Alghamdi ^[2]
  1. [1] King Saud University

     King Saud University

     Arabia Saudí

     
  2. [2] University College London

     University College London

     Reino Unido

     
  3. [3] Birkbeck University of London, London, UK

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• Localización: International journal of multilingualism, ISSN 1479-0718, Vol. 21, Nº. 4, 2024, págs. 1968-1982
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1080/14790718.2023.2233551
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • This cross-sectional study seeks to compare levels of emotional resonance in Arabic and English and identify the effects of sociobiographical factors, the history of English language learning and the current use of English on the development of emotional resonance of English among 141 bi- and multilingual Arab pupils and students in Saudi Arabia. Arabic was found to have a significantly stronger emotional resonance than English. Higher scores on emotional resonance in English were found among female participants, participants who had attended English-speaking primary (but not secondary schools), and participants who were using English intensely and frequently at the time of the data collection. We argue that all these factors contribute directly and indirectly to higher proficiency and increased embodiment of English.