Speaking in a second language may shift your moral compass – but it can’t overpower it
The Conversation · 4 Nov 2026

Speaking in a second language may shift your moral compass – but it can’t overpower it

In today’s interconnected world, millions of people move between two or more languages every day. They may negotiate at work in one language, speak with family in another, and follow news, entertainment and social media across several others. Using multiple languages can deeply change the way a person sees the world. Research has suggested that thinking and speaking in different languages can fundamentally shift the way we reason and behave, and even change our morality.


⬅ Back home Read full article ➡