Impact of Presentation-Language and Self-Construal on Irony Interpretation in Spanish–English Bilinguals

This study investigated the role of self-construal and language background in irony interpretation. Prior research considered either cultural or language background, but not both. Spanish–English bilinguals (N = 152) from the U.S. and Mexico rated stories containing ironic and literal statements in English and Spanish, then completed the Language History Questionnaire, Self-construal Scale, and Sarcasm-self-report scale (SSS). Results showed that ironic items were rated as less ironic when presented in Spanish compared to English. Further, participants who scored higher in independent self-construal scored higher on SSS subscale “general sarcasm” (frequency of irony use), suggesting that irony is used more frequently by those who see themselves as more separate from others. These findings highlight the complex relationship between language and cultural tendencies measured in self-construal and demonstrate that language and culture need to be considered at the level of the individual participant.