A recent study published in the journal Language Learning explores how bilingual individuals perceive colors differently based on the language they use at the moment. Researchers discovered that bilinguals who speak both Lithuanian and Norwegian perceive shades of blue differently depending on which language they are using.
Lithuanian has two distinct words for blue whereas Norwegian has only one word to describe all shades of blue. The study found that when bilingual participants engaged in a color discrimination task while using Lithuanian, they were quicker to differentiate between light and dark blue shades. However, this effect diminished when they performed the same task in Norwegian, suggesting that the language they used influenced their perception of color.
Previous studies have shown that language can affect how people categorize colors, but these effects are often subtle and context-dependent. The idea that our language might shape the way we perceive the world around us has fascinated scientists for decades. This study aimed to dig deeper into this phenomenon by focusing on bilinguals—people who regularly switch between two languages—and examining how their perception might change with the language they use.
“I became interested in this topic due to previous research on the unique cognitive experiences of bilingual individuals and how being bilingual might alter our perception of the world,” said study author Akvile Sinkeviciute, a PhD student at Northeastern University London.
“Lithuanian has two distinct terms for light and dark blue (‘žydra’ and ‘mėlyna’), whereas Norwegian uses a single term (‘blå’) to cover both shades, which presents an intriguing linguistic difference that could influence the way we differentiate colors in our visual perception as well.”
“This difference in language structure provided a unique opportunity to explore how bilingualism might affect basic perceptual processes like colour discrimination. By studying bilinguals who regularly navigate between these two languages, we aimed to understand how living between two linguistic worlds might dynamically shape our sensory experiences.”
The study involved five separate experiments, each designed to probe the relationship between language and color perception.
In the first experiment, Lithuanian-Norwegian bilinguals were asked to perform a color discrimination task twice—once while using Lithuanian and once while using Norwegian. They were presented with three color chips at a time: one at the top and two at the bottom. Their task was to select which of the two bottom chips matched the top one. This experiment was designed to test whether using a language with different color terms would influence their speed and accuracy in distinguishing between colors.
In the second experiment, the researchers added a verbal interference task to see how cognitive load might affect color perception. Participants had to memorize and recall a series of random digits while performing the color discrimination task. The idea was to see if the extra mental effort of juggling numbers in a particular language would affect their ability to distinguish colors.
Experiments three and four involved monolingual Lithuanian and Norwegian speakers, respectively, who performed the same color discrimination task. These groups served as controls to see how individuals who only speak one language—either with two terms for blue or one—naturally discriminate between colors without the influence of a second language.
Finally, in the fifth experiment, all participants—bilinguals and monolinguals—completed the color discrimination task without any verbal interference, to establish a baseline for how well each group could distinguish between the shades of blue without any cognitive distractions.
When bilingual participants performed the task in Lithuanian, they were faster and more accurate in distinguishing between light and dark blue. This color category effect was strongest when there was no verbal interference, indicating that having two distinct color terms in Lithuanian sharpened their perception.
However, when the same participants switched to Norwegian, where only one word for blue exists, their ability to discriminate between the shades diminished. This suggests that the linguistic structure of Lithuanian, with its separate terms for light and dark blue, facilitated better color discrimination.
Monolingual Lithuanian speakers also showed a strong ability to distinguish between the colors, similar to the bilinguals when they used Lithuanian. In contrast, monolingual Norwegian speakers, who only had one word for blue, did not show the same level of discrimination. Their performance was similar to that of bilinguals when using Norwegian.
“Our study shows that the language we use can shape how we perceive colors, demonstrating the flexibility of cognitive processes,” Sinkeviciute told PsyPost. “Lithuanian-Norwegian bilinguals were quicker to distinguish between light and dark blue when thinking in Lithuanian, but this advantage disappeared when thinking in Norwegian. Similarly, monolingual Lithuanians, who have two words for blue, were faster at distinguishing shades of blue than monolingual Norwegians. This finding supports the idea that language can influence perception, even with a second language learned later in life.”
“We were particularly fascinated by how the language context could modulate visual perception within the same individuals. While we expected some influence, the finding that bilinguals’ color discrimination patterns resembled those of monolingual speakers depending on the language in use was striking. It showed that the impact of language on perception,i.e. perception of sensory input, is dynamic and can change in real-time, depending on which language is active.”
The study sheds light on the connection between language and perception. But, as with all research, there are some limitations to consider.
“The extent of language’s influence on perception may vary depending on an individual’s language proficiency or frequency of use, and future research should examine these variables to better understand the nuances of how language affects perception,” Sinkeviciute noted. “Additionally, multilinguals who speak three or more languages with differing numbers of linguistic labels for basic colors should also be studied.”
“Right now, I investigate intergenerational differences in color naming, examining how color vocabulary and perception vary with age,” she continued. “I aim to explore how physiological changes in the eye, as well as cognitive changes across the lifespan, affect these differences. After completing this research, I would like to extend my studies to explore how these intergenerational patterns might differ among multilingual individuals. Understanding these dynamics could provide deeper insights into the complex interplay between perceptual and cognitive processes in color vision and communication across different age groups and linguistic contexts.”
The new findings contribute to the ongoing conversation about linguistic relativity, showing that the words we use can have a tangible impact on our sensory experiences.
“Our research highlights the profound and dynamic influence of language on everyday cognitive processes, challenging the notion that perception is solely a sensory function,” Sinkeviciute said. “It suggests that language learning can enrich perceptual experiences, offering benefits that extend beyond mere communication. This insight is particularly valuable for understanding cognitive flexibility and adaptability in bilingual and multilingual individuals.”
The study, “Active Language Modulates Color Perception in Bilinguals,” was authored by Akvile Sinkeviciute, Julien Mayor, Mila Dimitrova Vulchanova, and Natalia Kartushina.
