Pragmatic challenges in the communication of emotions in intercultural couples

Dewaele, Jean-Marc (2018) Pragmatic challenges in the communication of emotions in intercultural couples. Intercultural Pragmatics 15 (1), pp. 29-55. ISSN 1612-295X.

Abstract

Statistical analysis of quantitative and qualitative data collected via an online questionnaire from 429 participants who were in an intercultural relationship revealed strongly divided opinions on the pragmatic challenges of communicating emotions with their partner. Though most participants reported some degree of difficulty, most agreed that love and emotional acculturation helped them overcome language barriers. Difficulties in communication were attributed to linguistic, pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic issues by almost three quarters of the participants who filled out an open question. Participants with higher scores on Emotional Stability, Flexibility and – marginally – Openmindedness, male participants and participants with high levels of education reported fewer difficulties. Partners in intercultural couples thus faced serious and sometimes totally unexpected pragmatic challenges in communicating emotions but generally managed to overcome the obstacles after some months.

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