Language and Emotion: How words can shape our thoughts!

Language and Emotion: How words can shape our thoughts!

Language is much more than a simple means of communication; it is the reflection of our emotions and identity. In an exciting conversation, Markus Hengstschläger discussed the nuances of the comprehensibility of sentences with the linguist Eva Wittenberg. Wittenberg, who studied linguistics in Berlin, Potsdam and the USA, sees her research as a kind of plumbing work: she looks at the entire language management system and its effect on thinking. After completing her doctorate, she was a professor at UC San Diego before moving to the Central European University (CEU) in Vienna in 2021.

Wittenberg's focus is on exploring the influence of linguistic structures on our thoughts and beliefs. In this context, it measures reaction times and tracks eye movements while subjects read sentences. A core concept in her research is the “grammatical clue,” which she illustrates with impressive examples. Wittenberg shows that different formulations can create very different images in the mind, and she is convinced that dialects can create special access as long as the readers understand the dialect.

From scientific findings and personal style

In another part of the conversation, Wittenberg clarifies the question of whether scientific knowledge can be used to write perfect texts. In her opinion, understanding psycholinguistics plays an important role, but intuition should not be neglected either. The same applies to the author Martina Parker, who tries to create authenticity through her colloquial dialogues in crime novels. “You have to have a personal style,” says Parker, “because that is crucial, especially in times when artificial intelligence is becoming more and more present.”

Parker, who once worked as a journalist, has now made a name for herself with her crime novels. Her bestseller “Zuagroast” was made into a film this year. A good concept for texts is important, she emphasizes, but in the end it is the story that counts. These considerations are consistent with the ongoing change in language that Hengstschläger asks about in relation to digitalization. Wittenberg is convinced that language is always changing, regardless of the role of social media.

Aside from the linguistic discussion, Wittenberg is opening up new avenues: She is currently working on an AI-based communication system that is being developed specifically for people with disabilities. An ambitious project that shows how technologies and language research can come together to overcome barriers.

Markus Hengstschläger brings his expertise as a professor of genetics and science presenter to his own projects, thereby combining scientific approaches with broad public topics. With his own bestsellers, he has also proven that the combination of science and art can be exciting.

Regardless of whether in science, literature or communication, one thing remains clear: language develops its power in a wide variety of facets and remains an essential tool for understanding our world.