Language, Emotion and Well-being

This research group investigates the ways in which individuals’ well-being and coping mechanisms are influenced by psychosocial factors related to multilingualism and mobility, particularly in vulnerable and minoritized communities. Following an interdisciplinary perspective, we draw from linguistics and neighboring disciplines such as sociology, psychology, physiology, and education.

Key objectives

To investigate the relationship between multilingualism and socio-affective factors affecting the well-being of individuals and their communities.
To foster collaboration and create a network of scholars to enhance innovative research on the topic of multilingualism, emotion and well-being through an interdisciplinary enterprise.
To provide insights into the ways to study and promote the sustainable multilingual development and increased well-being of individuals and communities.
To increase awareness of the role of psychosocial factors related to language in vulnerable multilingual populations.

Impact

Multilingual living is the norm at both the individual and societal level. Much has been investigated about the cognitive effects of multilingualism on individuals, including during language development and late in life (microlevel), the processes of family language maintenance and loss (mesolevel), and the societal management of multilingual communities (macrolevel). However, less attention has been paid to the interplay between the pull and push factors affecting multilingualism at micro, meso and macro levels of society, and the individuals’ psychosocial experiences and well-being.

This research group centers around the question of the ways in which individuals’ well-being and coping stressors are influenced by individual and societal factors related to multilingual development and practices. We are particularly interested in migrant, minority and refugee contexts in which well-being and vulnerability can be more explicitly contingent on psychosocial experiences (e.g., anxiety, trauma, acculturation stress, and personal and professional satisfaction).

By understanding the effect that maintaining one’s multilingualism have on the individual’s quality of life, as well as on their social networks and their immediate environment, we aim at identifying and proposing ways to contribute to the development of an ethically sound sustainable society, in which the costs and benefits of multilingual living are considered when meeting the needs of those affected by them, as well as the group at large.

We plan on doing so through a series of internal talks and gatherings, one thematic workshop, and joined grant applications and/or publications.

Events

We convene bi-weekly to discuss research and on-going work and project plans, exchange knowledge and ideas, examine synergies and research interests, and plan ways to further our investigation into the topic of multilingualism and well-being.

Planned activities

One or two meetings per month with the group members during which internal presentations or gatherings will be held to stimulate the collaboration and grant writing within the group.
One invited talk for the ACLC seminar series and
One workshop on multilingualism and emotion (within 5 years).

Coordinators

Yesim Sevinc
Eva J. Daussà

Group members

Sible Andringa
Lani Freeborn (PhD candidate)
Anne-Mieke Thieme (PhD candidate)
Kimberley Mulder (Postdoc)
Jasmijn Bosch (PhD candidate)
Kaatje Dalderop (PhD candidate)
Merva Kaya (rMA student, research assistant for the NWO project ‘The anxious multilingual brain’)