This is an old entry in my old blog on a site that disappeared in the meantime. It was originally published on 19 March, 2011. I am republishing it now simply because I want to keep those blog entries online as well. Every now and then I will republish an entry and keep them in chronological order with each other.
I am more than willing to further investigate the issue. The project is almost ready, all I need now is an appropriate grant.
An interesting topic concerning bilingualism was suggested to me: What is the language used by bilingual people when making love?
I admit I never actually thought on the issue. I believe that a thorough research is needed in this area. Now the only problem seems to be to whom to apply for a research grant. All ideas are welcome!
But seriously, folks!
The fact is that people seldom have sex in complete silence. Apart from unarticulated voicing, much information is exchanged during sex: descriptions, instructions, invocations, commands, enquiries…
But in what language?
As I explained before, lacking the appropriate grant for a thorough research, I can make conclusion only on the basis of data available to me presently.
The first aspect concerns the individuals involved, their mastering over their two first languages. More precisely their mastering over typical terminology referring to the intercourse they are involved into. There are many terms describing particular features connected to the topic, nouns, adjectives, verbs, prepositions, exclamations… But the question remains: Is the individual equally capable to articulate one’s desires and feelings and emotions in both of one’s first languages? If this is not the case, the individual will surely divert to the language in which his expressive prowess is of a major grade. The main problem here is that most of the utterances useful in such a setting are omitted in foreign language courses, which leaves the individual just a do-it-yourself mode of learning. Luckily, the information age gives one enough possibilities to learn all the terminology needed for an enjoyable love-making.
The second aspect concerns the languages inherent to all the involved individuals. If they share a common language, we would expect them to exchange information in that particular common language. But here the previous argument must also be taken into consideration. Do all the involved individuals share an equal proficiency over the terminology in question in the language they share? However, where there is a will to communicate (and the individuals involved in the setting taken into consideration have clearly demonstrated their will to interact), there will be a communication of some kind. The individuals can always make up for the lack of proper terminology in the common language with terms in others, maybe even some closely related ones, hoping that the partner would understand. And finally, hands can always be used to explain, however they might be otherwise engaged during sex.
The third aspect concerns code switching. During intercourse one is not always in complete control of one’s actions. Of course, provided that one abandons oneself to the love-making properly. Code switching is a valid option. When the excitement and oneness of the individuals involved reach a certain level, all common languages might be abandoned in favour of one’s very first language that remains a means of communicating one’s feelings, emotions and desires until the end of the act.
The final aspect would be the question how the use of a particular language is reflected in the sensuality of the individuals involved. We know (at least from TV-shows and movies) that certain persons are aroused by certain languages. We all remember Miss Piggy from the Muppet Show, do we not? Do you remember how touched she was by the words the great French chansonnier Charles Aznavour was whispering in her ears in French? Do you remember what he was saying? “Your oil-filter has a leak and your transmission is sagging” and the telephone number of the Paris Garbage Dump. Well, I suppose that if you say the same things in English (as translated above), it would not make such an impression on the partner, but in French! Oh la la! The other famous example is Wanda from the movie A Fish Called Wanda (the character portrayed by Jamie Lee Curtis and not her finned namesake), who gets aroused the moment she hears some French-, Italian- or Russian-like sounding gibberish. Well, I believe that the use of the apposite language may help, but in the end it is the competence of the individual that makes the greater impression, is it not? And I do not mean linguistic competence, you know?
Linguist's eye on things 