Do Second Language Readers Infer Characters’ Emotional States Online?

Abstract

This paper investigates whether second language (L2) readers infer characters’ emotional states online. It has been reported that first language (L1) readers infer emotional states online (De Vega, 1996; De Vega, Diaz, & León, 1997; Gernsbacher, Goldsmith, & Robertson, 1992; Gernsbacher, Hallada, & Robertson, 1998; Gernsbacher & Robertson, 1992); however, some studies suggest that the emotions inferred by L1 readers are not specific (Gygax, Garnham, & Oakhill, 2004; Gygax, Oakhill, & Garnham, 2003). Few studies have examined whether L2 readers infer characters’ emotions online. Thus, in this study, participants were required to read stories in their L2 and infer the characters’ emotional states. The research findings suggest that L2 readers may not infer characters’ specific emotions online. However, it is suggested that there is a possibility that L2 readers may be able to draw general emotional information from a narrative, such as valence, as they improve in their L2 proficiency.