A Psycholinguistic Perspective on Bilinguals' Discrepant Questionnaire Responses

TLDR

Bilinguals often give different responses to the same questionnaire item in different languages, a pattern usually attributed to social psychological factors such as accommodation, ethnic affiliation, or social desirability. This study investigates whether the pattern of discrepant responses depends on how the bilinguals acquired their languages. Using the dual‑coding model, the authors predict that compound bilinguals will share identical mental images for interlingual equivalents, while coordinate bilinguals will operate more like unilinguals because their conceptual systems are distinctly separate. The study found that questionnaire response differences across languages were more pronounced in compound bilinguals, supporting the hypothesis that language acquisition mode influences response patterns.

Abstract

The Finding That Bilinguals Sometimes Respond Differently To The Same Item In Different Language Versions Of Questionnaires Is Usually Interpreted In Terms Of Social Psychological Processes Such As Accommodation, Ethnic Affiliation, Or Social Desirability. However, The Discrepant Responses Of Bilinguals May Be A Function Of The Way In Which The Languages Have Been Acquired. In Terms Of The Dual-Coding Model, Compound Bilinguals Should Have The Same Images Related To Interlingual Equivalents, Whereas Coordinate Bilinguals Should Function More Like Unilinguals, Since Their Two Conceptual Systems, Acquired Through Each Language, Are Clearly Differentiated. Thus Differences In Responses To Questionnaires In Two Different Languages Should Occur In Bilinguals Who Are Of A More Compound Type. Results Of A Study Testing This Hypothesis Are Reported.