Word choice in native and non-native English speakers: a comparison of word use in introverted and extroverted individuals Taylor Gerard & Jason Young, PhD Hunter College, The City University of New York Abstract The current study focused on a subset of the domestic data from the International Situations Project, which includes responses from over one thousand people in the United States. Using the Linguistic Inquiry Word Count (LIWC; 2007), the objective was to identify differences in word choice by introverts and extroverts among native English speakers and non-native English speakers. Previous studies have found that a frequent cause of anxiety in English speaking is interacting with native speakers, which may explicate certain linguistic choices (Woodrow 2006). Non-native English use affects word use and choice, and the assumption is that non-native English speakers would appear to be more introverted in regards to their word choices. Research by Pennebaker and King has shown that introverts use more articles in speech, as well as more negation words (i.e. not, no) (1999). Data analysis of the current study suggests a significant negative correlation between percentage of negation words and extraversion in native speakers (r=-.345; n=51; p=.011) but not in non-native speakers (r=-.263; n=54; p=.06) and a significant positive correlation between percentage of negation words and introversion in non-native English Speakers (r=.301; n=54; p=.03) but not in native English speakers (r=. 190; n=51; p=.174).
Methods
Results
Discussion
Data were taken from the archives of the International Situations Project, collected from seventeen institutions around the United States. Random samples of non-native and native English speakers were taken from these data. Open-ended response data (N=105) were entered into the LIWC (Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count) software and analyzed according to previous findings about introversion and its correlation with the percentage of negation words used (Pennebaker & King 1999). A measure of Aloof/ Introversion and Gregarious/Extroversion was extracted from the data set and correlated with the LIWC output.
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•Consistent with previous research, it appears that the correlation between negation words and introversion in nonnative speakers is evidence for the assertion that non-native speakers seem to use language in a more introverted pattern, whereas native English speakers show word use in a more extraverted pattern.
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• Thus, potentially, non-native English speakers may inadvertently appear shy and less socially inclined.
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Results
Figure 3. Diversity of native languages among non-native English speaking participants.
•In their production of speech, non-native English speakers tend to follow patterns of introverted expression, such as the increased usage of negation words. However, Pennebaker and King’s previous findings show that extroverts use more words overall (1999). In the analyses, it was found that nonnative English speakers use more words overall, results which are inconsistent with the Pennebaker and King findings. Though no psychological explanation for this can be offered, a potential anecdotal explanation is that these wordy responses are produced in response to the prompt in an attempt to ensure the reader is understanding the notions behind the writing. •Future research will expand the sample size to further the generalizations that can be drawn from the study.
Introduction •While language is frequently veiled, misinterpreted or simply misunderstood, its analysis provides deep and profound insight into the minds and personalities of its user. Language and all of its fascinating properties are often overlooked as innate mechanisms of expression though they have been continually analyzed with respect to their connection to traits and behaviors. Yet language itself can reveal the expression of conscious and unconscious emotions, affect, disposition, and selfperception. •The current study investigated the potential difference between participants who command the English language with native proficiency and those who learned it as a second or even third language. Presumably, nonnative English speech and writing affects word use and choice. Thus the inquiry focuses on the assumption that this differentiated command of the English language would prevent participants from expressing themselves fully, giving them the appearance of being more introverted in their linguistic style when speaking English. Focusing on prior research by Pennebaker and King about the kinds of words used by individuals who are introverted in nature, the present study investigated differences in word choice.
Figure 1. Mean percentage of negation words in native and non-native English speakers
References & Acknowledgments Figure 4. Mean introversion and extroversion scores in native and nonnative English speakers
Beukeboom, C. J., Tanis, M., & Vermeulen, I. E. (2013). The Language of Extraversion Extraverted People Talk More Abstractly, Introverts Are More Concrete. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 32(2), 191-201. Pennebaker, J. W., & King, L. A. (1999). Linguistic styles: language use as an individual difference. Journal of personality and social psychology, 77(6), 1296. Woodrow, L. (2006). Anxiety and speaking English as a second language. RELC journal, 37(3), 308-328.
Figure 2. Mean word count in native and non-native English speakers
The authors would like to thank Clayton Santillo for his assistance with the analyses.