Multiplicity of Selves in Bi- and Multilinguals: A Hypothetical Experimental Procedure

Abstract

The concept for this paper was inspired by earlier work undertaken for a Neuroeconomics class in which the notion of multiple selves was presented. Specifically, the paper titled Multiple selves in intertemporal choice by Jamison & Wegener (2010) inspired the idea that if multiple selves could be distinguished across a linear understanding of time, then there would also be a possibility for multiple selves that separate themselves based on languages. With ‘language’ being the core theme of the paper, its meaning should be established early on. Language should be understood as a system of communication that requires at least two individuals to agree on a specific usage of words and phrases to allow communication to be spread and conveyed efficiently. This definition can be tame but the twist that adds context is the view of de Zulueta (1995) stating that language is the embodiment of both cultural (and therefore, social) and individual identities. Through its combination of two neuroscientific techniques, this paper will seek to illustrate the possibility that an individual has as many selves as they speak languages. To conceptualize this, a hypothetical experimental procedure is suggested in which the sample would be composed by bi- and multilinguals. In the thesis paper, thematic topics are addressed as they add to the necessity of studying the implications of languages on the notion of self. Among these are marketing and advertising.