Language learning through “FALLING” (🍁🍂🍃) in love: Kicking off the fall semester with “love languaging” insights—and TikTok! 📲
Hello everyone!
As I prepare to kick off the fall (🍁🍂🍃) semester, I’m filled with excitement—and a bit of nostalgia—as this marks the beginning of my final year in the Ph.D. program in the Department of Linguistics at Georgetown University. It’s hard to believe how quickly time has flown by, but there’s still so much to look forward to!
If you are here, you have probably heard the saying that “the easiest way to learn a language is to fall (🍁🍂🍃) in love” with a native speaker… right? 👀
Well, while it might sound romantic, the reality of language learning and language choice for many multilingual and intercultural couples is far more complex.
Today, we know that many couples go on to learn at least some of each other’s languages, not just out of potential necessity, but also as a way of strengthening their relationship and connecting with their partner’s culture… However, as recent research by Kiaer and Ahn (2023) highlights, the act of choosing one language over another—and potentially “sacrificing” one’s own—can be just as powerful and prevalent among multilingual couples.
Right now, at the end of August 2024, I’m still deep into data collection, interviews, and “love languaging” analysis of screenshots from multiple couples who are currently in multilingual romantic relationships. It’s been incredible hearing the diverse stories from multilingual and intercultural couples about how they navigate language and love through text messaging!
There’s something very compelling about seeing how digital messaging technology shapes couples’ investment in learning each other’s languages in such unique and meaningful ways.
To kick off the fall (🍁🍂🍃) semester of this final year, I’m excited to share a heartwarming video of a man surprising his girlfriend by proposing in her first language. This beautiful gesture ties directly into the research I’m doing—showcasing just one example of how language choice (especially in such grand gestures and surprises as this!) can add layers of meaning, deepen connections, and enhance understanding... for everyday life, as well as for such momentous conversations. 💍✨ It’s these kinds of moments that inspire my research and remind me why this work is so meaningful.
You can watch the video below or directly on TikTok, where, this year, I’ll also be collecting and sharing (@love.languages.research) more amazing examples of “love languaging” in action.
Thank you all for your support—I’m looking forward to sharing more stories and insights with you all this year!
Best,
Kris Cook, M.Ed., M.S.
Ph.D. Candidate, Linguistics
Instructor of Research-based Undergraduate Linguistics Experience (RULE)
Department of Linguistics, Georgetown University
References
Kiaer, J., & Ahn, H. (2023). Lessons from a translingual romance: Conflict and cultural innovation of intercultural couples. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32921-0
