The Role of Emotions and Feelings in Forming Language

Edited by Hussein Hassan Rukun

14/3/2025

Emotions and Feelings are phenomenon have a very critical role in forming language. Language, as a communication tool, has been studied in detail in the previous studies within different theories and frameworks: psychological, cognitive, formal, structural …etc. There are, however, some aspects remaining without paying attention on it. One of these aspects is “the role of emotions and feelings in forming language in communication”. 

In the current essay, it is referred to the important role of emotions and feelings in articulating, forming, and processing language, specifically during the communication among communicators. This essay is not to explore how Language is used to express emotions. The essay, however, tries to show that the one and unique reason of the change of language “style” used in the communication is the emotions and feelings of the speaker.

Basically, language has a psychological basis in forming it. However, there are many factors influencing on forming it. For instance, a speaker or writer who communicates, in any language, has an interaction with a hearer. This interaction is also influenced by the psychological factors when something happens between them. For instance, suggest a speaker is “happy” and “comfortable” with his/her close friend. Consequently, their communication has a specific tone. Their communication has a kind and good tone. There is an appreciation and respect between them during the communication. There is neither linguistic offense nor assault. Their relationship in communication is very good and excellent. Why? Because there is neither bad feeling nor bad emotion. 

However, if it happens to be there any “problem” or “crisis” between them, their communication will be totally different. The style and tone of their language will be assaultive and abusive. There is no respect, appreciation, nor praising. The overt reason is their feeling and emotion differs from the previous one.

Another instance, when an administrator has a worker(s), the relation is very formal and they have a high and valuable respect between them. Why? Because the feeling, that the worker has toward his/her head, is overt and strong. He/she feels they should react and treat his/her administrator in this level or according to this value. However, if the official administration has been finished, for any reason, thw worker’s reaction and treatment will be different. It may be low or usual. In this instance, the reason is not only for the social class has changed. The reason, however, is the feeling or emotion that has changed.

There are many other examples can be observed such the relationship between two co-workers, classmates, husband and wife, sick or ill people, etc. They can be a data to prove this phenomenon.

This phenomenon (communicative change based on the emotions and feelings), has not paid more attention in the studies, as I think. It needs a hard work and a serious investigation to be conducted within a adapted theoretical framework to explore the psychological base for it. We can refer to some remarks to the basis of this phenomenon. The emotions and feelings are related to the love and hatred. Examples of emotions and feelings are hatred, love, sadness, angry, fear, etc. They are located in heart as a psychological place that bears such states and phenomena. However, the most obvious and clearest examples are two aspects, love and hatred. These two aspects have a very strong influence in forming and using language between communicators. 

In conclusion, there is only one psychological base (emotions and feelings) that influences on the change of communicative language. Hopefully, this phenomenon is investigated in future studies.