Effects of the Linguistic Context on Identity Relevant Self-Characterization in Bilinguals

A survey was conducted among Hungarian-Romanian-English multilinguals (N=237) with the aim of investigating the individual differences in cultural preferences and value priorities. Participants completed questionnaires measuring: (a) the individual level of national identification (Collective SelfEsteem); (b) own-culture preference (Patriotism); (c) ethnocentric proclivity toward other cultures (Generalized Ethnocentrism Scale); and, (d) the relative importance of 10 universal value types (Portrait Values Questionnaire) in three groups. Native (Hungarian) and acquired languages (Romanian, English) were used for filling out questionnaires for the three groups. Linguistic effects appeared on ethnocentrism, patriotism and collective aspects of self-esteem, but the effects were absent on personal aspect of self-esteem and prevailingly on value priorities. Results may indicate a kind of linguistic relativity in identity relevant self-characterization.