The Impact of Personality Traits on Language Use and Neuroticism

Akhmedova Muyassar Khadimatovna

and Dilmuradova Nilufar Asatillayevna

Tashkent State Pedagogical University, Uzbekistan

Tashkent State University of Economics, Uzbekistan

Keywords: Language, Psycholinguistics, Communication, Personality, Emotion.

Abstract: This article explores the psycholinguistic aspects of the national language, focusing particularly on the

vocabulary associated with emotional neuroticism in personality. It establishes that there is a profound

interconnection between the strength and mobility of nervous processes and human psychodynamics, which

in turn reflect in one’s linguistic expressions. Temperamental variations and distinct personality traits notably

influence speech patterns, including the employment of colloquial language elements during interpersonal

communications. Interestingly, the research highlights that while age does not significantly affect these

linguistic variations, temperamental differences do. Hence, the nature of an individual's speech activity serves

as a mirror to their unique psycholinguistic characteristics, offering valuable insights into the subtle interplay

between personality and language use. This study enriches our understanding of how deeply individual

temperaments are embedded in the fabric of verbal communication.

1 INTRODUCTION

In recent academic discourse, there has been an

increasingly recognised importance attached to the

study of psycholinguistic features within national

languages from a scientific perspective. This

burgeoning field combines elements of linguistics

and psychology, focusing particularly on how

language reflects and shapes emotional and

personality-based aspects of human communication.

One of the most challenging yet fascinating areas of

study within psycholinguistics concerns the

paralinguistic mechanisms that convey emotional

nuance in language (Akhmedova et. al. 2023). This

complexity is primarily due to the intricate nature of

emotions themselves, which are a fundamental yet

enigmatic component of the human psyche.

Additionally, the expression of these emotions

through language presents a multidimensional

challenge, as linguistic manifestations of feelings

vary greatly across different contexts and cultures.

Personality traits are intrinsically linked to all

aspects of mental activity, influencing and being

reflected in our speech. The way we communicate is

not merely a function of linguistic ability but also of

the psychological states and personality structures of

the speaker. Personalities are forged within the

crucible of social interactions and are continuously

shaped by the dynamics of social relations. Hence,

human language is not just a tool for communication

but also a platform for expressing individual identity

and emotional states (Saifullaeva et. al. 2017). The

choice of language tools and their activation in any

given situation are deeply influenced by the speaker's

objectives, the context of the interaction, the cultural

milieu, age group considerations, and various other

socio-psychological factors. It is through speech that

emotional characteristics and mental activities of

individuals are vividly manifested, underscoring the

intrinsic link between language, thought, and emotion

in our daily lives and social interactions.

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research methodology designed to explore the

intersection of language, thought, and culture, as

posited by Wilhelm von Humboldt and further

developed by Sapir and Whorf, will employ a

qualitative approach that integrates ethnolinguistic

fieldwork with theoretical linguistic analysis. This

study aims to investigate how language shapes

cognitive processes and cultural practices among

different linguistic communities.

Research Design: The study will adopt a cross-

linguistic comparative design, focusing on two to

three distinct linguistic groups. Each group will be

Khadimatovna, A. and Asatillayevna, D.

The Impact of Personality Traits on Language Use and Neuroticism.

DOI: 10.5220/0012865600003882

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 2nd Pamir Transboundary Conference for Sustainable Societies (PAMIR-2 2023), pages 421-424

ISBN: 978-989-758-723-8

421

selected based on their unique linguistic structures

and cultural contexts, to provide a varied base for

examining the influence of linguistic relativity. The

groups may include speakers of an Indo-European

language, a Sino-Tibetan language, and a language

from the Afro-Asiatic family. This design allows for

a broader understanding of how language structure

relates to cognitive patterns and cultural norms.

Data Collection: Data will be collected through a

combination of participant observation, structured

and semi-structured interviews, and audio recordings

of daily communication within each community.

Participant observation will be conducted over a

period of three to six months for each language group,

allowing the researcher to immerse themselves in the

linguistic and cultural environment of the subjects.

Interviews will be used to gather personal narratives,

opinions, and explanations concerning local

perceptions of the world, linguistic practices, and

cultural values. These interviews will be conducted

with both linguistic and cultural consent from the

participants, ensuring ethical standards are

maintained.

Data Analysis: The collected data will be

transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis to

identify common themes and patterns related to

language use, cognitive perceptions, and cultural

practices. The analysis will focus on identifying

correlations between linguistic features (such as

grammar, lexicon, and syntax) and specific ways of

thinking and cultural behaviours. Special attention

will be paid to metaphors, idioms, and other forms of

speech that particularly reflect cultural ideologies and

cognitive styles.

Theoretical Framework: The theoretical

framework will be grounded in Humboldt's view of

language as a cultural product and a shaper of

thought, alongside Sapir-Whorf's hypothesis of

linguistic relativity. The research will also engage

with modern critiques and developments of these

theories, incorporating contemporary linguistic and

cognitive theories to provide a balanced perspective.

Validation of Findings: To validate the findings,

the study will include a peer review process by other

linguists and anthropologists, as well as feedback

from the communities involved in the study. This

feedback loop will help ensure the accuracy and

sensitivity of the interpretations. Moreover, findings

from each linguistic group will be cross-analyzed to

check for consistency and divergences in how

language relates to thought and culture.

Ethical Considerations: Ethical considerations

will include obtaining informed consent from all

participants, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality,

and presenting findings in a way that respects the

dignity and cultural values of the communities

studied. Additionally, the research will adhere to the

ethical guidelines set out by relevant academic

bodies.

This methodology aims to robustly address how

different languages shape human cognition and

cultural frameworks, thereby contributing valuable

insights to the fields of linguistics, anthropology, and

psychology.

3 ANALYSIS

Language and speech are intrinsically interwoven,

representing both socio-historical and socio-

psychological phenomena. Language functions

primarily as a communicative tool, whereas speech

operates as a method of communication. Through the

process of speech, language is employed as a socio-

individual instrument, wherein linguistic units are

mobilised to engage with objective reality, thought

processes, and situational contexts. Speech, as an

instantiation of language, comprises a structured

arrangement of words, phrases, and sentences. It

reveals the idiosyncratic characteristics of an

individual, reflecting one’s circle of thought,

vocabulary richness, personal interests, character

traits, health, and emotional states. This ability of

speech to portray an individual's unique persona

underscores its critical role not only in social

interactions but also in the governance of personal

conduct and planning, thereby shaping our actions

towards specific goals. Speech acts as a conduit

through which individual volition and cognitive

activities are expressed and moderated.

Furthermore, the relationship between emotion

and mental processes is profound, with emotions

significantly influencing perception and cognitive

activities. Emotions are integral to the structure of

thought, serving as vital components of psychological

needs that drive mental activities. Language plays a

pivotal role in the expression of these emotions,

providing a repository of expressions that enable the

conveyance of feelings through various linguistic and

phraseological forms. These can include

metaphorical representations that extend beyond

straightforward lexical definitions, allowing for

nuanced expression of complex emotional states.

Additionally, the discussion of temperament, as

posited by theorists such as Hans Eysenck, integrates

psychological constructs with physiological bases,

tracing back to the ancient theories of Hippocrates.

Eysenck’s classification correlates temperament with

emotional reactivity and general activity,

encompassing traits like extraversion and

introversion alongside stability and neuroticism.

These temperamental traits not only influence our

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emotional responses but also affect our speech

patterns, speed, and overall communicative style.

Thus, temperament and language are deeply

interconnected, each shaping the dynamics of human

interaction and behaviour in substantial ways.

The intricate relationship between an individual

and language evolves throughout different stages of

life, manifesting differently in both public and

personal spheres. Language, inherently malleable,

adapts to the contexts within which it is employed—

be it the nature of the non-verbal tasks at hand, the

objectives pursued, or the audience addressed. This

adaptive nature of language reflects not only

situational demands but also mirrors the

developmental stages of the individual’s mental

capacities. These mental capacities are, in turn,

shaped by the individual’s needs and ambitions. Thus,

language through its speech acts serves as a pivotal

tool in fulfilling these needs, ranging from the basic

material to more complex ones such as

communication, education, and creative expression.

For instance, in the realms of literature and science,

language facilitates the exploration and articulation of

new ideas, thereby feeding into the cycle of

intellectual and creative satisfaction.

Moreover, the use of language unveils much

about an individual's identity and cultural level,

encapsulating aspects such as intelligence, breadth of

interests, and moral-ethical upbringing. However, it

is crucial to differentiate between linguistic ability

and intelligence per se; they are not synonymous.

Scholars caution against judging an individual’s

intelligence solely based on their linguistic prowess

or their mastery of language. Similarly, ethical and

aesthetic values should not be assessed merely

through linguistic expressions. While language plays

a significant role in forming and expressing personal

ideals and self-assessment, it is the synthesis of both

speech and non-speech activities that ultimately

defines a person. These activities encompass the

processes involved, the artefacts produced and their

eventual outcomes, providing a holistic view of an

individual’s capabilities and character. This

comprehensive approach helps in understanding the

full spectrum of an individual’s personal and social

identity, avoiding the pitfalls of superficial

assessments based solely on linguistic skills.

The study conducted utilising the Eysenck

methodology sheds light on the intricate relationship

between individual personality traits and linguistic

expressions within social interactions. The research

identifies a particular group of individuals

characterised by what may be termed as 'sluggish'

self-control in communicative settings. Despite their

perseverance in behaviour, which is marked as high,

these individuals display a notably weak inclination

towards the usage of jargon in their everyday speech.

This resistance to adapt their language according to

changing social contexts underpins a broader

reluctance to modify behaviour based on situational

demands. Their communicative style is marked by a

sincerity that remains constant, suggesting a stable,

albeit rigid, personality structure that influences their

linguistic choices.

Conversely, another group within the study

exhibits moderate levels of self-control during

interactions. While these individuals also maintain a

level of sincerity in their communications, they differ

significantly in their emotional regulation, often

displaying a delayed response in managing their

emotional expressions. This group, however, shows a

greater adaptability in their behaviour, particularly in

their readiness to align their speech patterns with

those of their immediate social environment. The

presence of emotional colouring in their language is

notable, with a marked increase in the usage of jargon

words, which suggests an enhanced responsiveness to

the emotional states of others. This linguistic

adaptability could be indicative of a more dynamic

interpersonal engagement, allowing for a more

nuanced and contextually aware mode of

communication. The study thus highlights how

specific personality dimensions, such as self-control

and emotional responsiveness, are distinctly mirrored

in the linguistic behaviours of individuals, providing

valuable insights into the interplay between

personality and language in social contexts.

The lexicon of individuals within specific

temperamental categories reveals intriguing

variations in vocabulary, particularly in the

prevalence of jargon and slang words. Research

indicates that those classified as sanguine, who are

typically emotional, energetic, and sociable, possess

a notably extensive vocabulary of jargon. This

phenomenon can likely be attributed to their

communicative prowess and the dynamism they bring

to interpersonal interactions. Sanguinis are known for

their engaging speech, often embellished with

expressive facial movements and gestures, making

them compelling storytellers and beloved figures in

social circles. Their vocabulary enriches their

narratives, adding layers of nuance and maintaining

the listener’s interest. This lexical richness not only

facilitates their social interactions but also mirrors

their lively personalities and their ability to

effortlessly resonate with diverse audiences. On the

other hand, individuals with a choleric temperament

also exhibit a significant reliance on slang within their

linguistic repertoire. Choleric, characterized by their

high excitability and quickness in both movement and

emotional response, utilize slang as a tool to express

their intense emotions and experiences rapidly and

effectively. The sharp, vivid nature of their

expressions and their tendency towards emotional

The Impact of Personality Traits on Language Use and Neuroticism

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volatility may explain their preference for the

immediate impact offered by slang. Despite their

potential for abruptness and irritability, choleric are

often driven by deep-seated enthusiasm and honesty,

traits that compel them to seek direct and potent forms

of expression. Thus, their speech often oscillates

between impassioned bursts of emotion and sincere

articulations, mirroring their internal complexity and

fervent nature. In contexts where rational discourse

yields to the emotional impetus, such as exclamations

like "Wow!" or "Great!", the choleric's language

transcends mere communication, serving as a visceral

display of their temperament and emotional state.

4 CONCLUSION

In an enlightening study into the interplay between

temperament and linguistic choice, it has been

observed that the prevalence of jargon within an

individual's vocabulary varies significantly across

different temperament types. Specifically, those

identified with more reserved temperaments—

phlegmatic and melancholic—tend to employ fewer

jargon terms compared to their sanguine and choleric

counterparts, who exhibit a richer and more diverse

jargon usage. This variance suggests a compelling

link between an individual's temperament and their

linguistic expression, where the vivacity and

emotional expressiveness associated with sanguine

and choleric personalities potentially foster a greater

engagement with dynamic and colloquial language

forms. Despite these temperament-based distinctions

in jargon use, age does not seem to play a significant

role in influencing the use of jargon within the lexicon

of the younger demographic. This consistency across

younger age groups implies that while personality

traits may influence linguistic preferences,

generational factors may not markedly affect the use

of jargon in a national language context.

Exploring further, the examination of speech

patterns offers significant insights into the inner

world and social identities of the youth, providing a

valuable tool for educators in fostering deeper

connections with their students. By attuning to the

nuances of students' speech, educators can create

more effective communication strategies that not only

engage students more fully but also assist in

identifying and nurturing their unique potentials.

Moreover, as language serves as a fundamental

medium for personal and cultural expression, its

mastery is a potent facilitator of social interaction and

personal development. Encouraging young

individuals to cultivate a robust vocabulary and a

keen awareness of their linguistic choices can

dramatically improve their communicative abilities.

This enhancement of speech culture not only prepares

them for more meaningful societal participation but

also promotes a sophisticated linguistic awareness

that encompasses thoughtful engagement with

language. This involves a synthesis of cognitive

processes, ethical considerations, and adaptability to

various social contexts, thereby equipping young

individuals with the skills necessary to navigate and

influence their worlds more effectively.

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