Article in The Buccaneer (Page 13) which quotes my 2014- 2015 study. Permission received from The Buccaneer to reproduce.
Speaking different languages can cause
conflict in a couple’s relationship, but as long
as there is a common goal, agreed upon values,
and patience to endure, those conflicts
can be overcome.
Lucia Klencakova, a graduate assistant in
Barry’s department of Communication conducted
a study in 2014-2015 to “observe the
level of satisfaction in monolingual and bilingual
romantic relationships” and to determine
how conflicts arise in bilingual couples
yet are not common to all couples. Monolingual
refers to couples with one culture and
language background. Bilingual means couples
with two different mother languages.
“The central idea of this comparative
study was to observe the level of satisfaction
in romantic relationships between two people
with the same native language and couples
formed by two people of two different native
languages to uncover any significant commonalties
or differences,” she said.
The study involved twenty people (8
males and 12 females) between the ages of 25
and 57: 13 of the individual participants were
married, eight couples lived together, and six
couples had been together for more than five
years.
Klencakova was able to confirm thatwhen
couples had a mutual goal, there was
better communication and higher satisfaction
– regardless of language.
But couldn’t different languages be an
obstacle to the growth and success of the relationship?