THE BINARY-PARADIGM IN LANGUAGE AND EMOTION

Abstract

Emotions are key issues in human existence especially with regards human relationship. Emotions have different types and forms and are perceived differently by different people just as they are communicated in different languages. Emotions are the expression of feelings which comes from the mind. Language is a medium of communication and emotions cannot be noticed until they are communicated. Hence it could be said that a connection exists between language and emotion but the point of connect may not be as visible. It is as a result of such uncertainty that this paper seeks to examine the connecting point between language and emotion. Using a secondary source of gathering data and a content analysis method, the study finds out that language is the principle medium of communication and has been in existence since the creation of man while emotion signifies a reaction involving certain physiological changes. The study reveals that language is connected to emotion as language affects emotional expression, enhances as well as constitutes emotion itself. It further found out that deaf people also use facial expressions while they are using sign language to express their own emotions. The study concludes that language in itself is emotionally structured such that most expressions suggest their meaning revealing a salient fact that language has a connection with emotions and emotions are expressed in language.