Lakhasly

Narrator: Listen to part of a podcast on languages.Nadia Timmerman is here to tell us about her new book, called 'Different Languages, Different Personalities?'When I'm around Portuguese speakers, I'm just more outgoing.I conducted many surveys with people who spoke two or more languages and it is possible.Nadia, I grew up speaking Portuguese and English.My friends tell me I'm funnier in Portuguese than I am in English.Nadia:Well, you can be more outgoing in one language.What happens more often is how people use languages in different contexts.So when I speak Russian, I use a lot more 'slang' or more informal words.Miguel: Oh, so you mean my personality doesn't really change - it's more a matter of how I use the different languages?I'm your host Miguel Pardo.Nadia: Yes, it is!It's interesting how differently people act when speaking different languages.Nadia:Sure.Nadia:Exactly!Is that possible?

Narrator: Listen to part of a podcast on languages.
Miguel: Welcome to 'The Language Channel'. I'm your host Miguel Pardo. Today we're talking about how, or if, your personality changes when you speak a different language. Nadia Timmerman is here to tell us about her new book, called 'Different Languages, Different Personalities?' Nadia, I grew up speaking Portuguese and English. My friends tell me I'm funnier in Portuguese than I am in English. When I'm around Portuguese speakers, I'm just more outgoing. Is that possible?
Nadia:​ Yes, it is! I conducted many surveys with people who spoke two or more languages and it is possible. It's interesting how differently people act when speaking different languages.
Miguel: So can my personality really be completely different in Portuguese than it is in English?
Nadia:​Well, you can be more outgoing in one language. But, according to my research, your basic personality doesn't change. What seems like a change in your personality is just a change in the way you act based on the situation. What happens more often is how people use languages in different contexts.
Miguel: Can you give us an example?
Nadia:​Sure. For instance, I use English at work but I speak Russian with my family and friends. So when I speak Russian, I use a lot more 'slang' or more informal words. I guess you could say I feel more relaxed when I speak Russian, and more formal when I speak English.
Miguel: Oh, so you mean my personality doesn't really change – it's more a matter of how I use the different languages?
Nadia:​Exactly!
Miguel: And what about the culture of a language? Can it affect personality?
Nadia:​Well that's a very long and complicated answer.
Miguel: I guess I'll just need to read your book to find out! Thanks for speaking with us today, Nadia. Our listeners and I sure learned a lot.