Does
the Language of Response Influence Self-presentation? A Nepalese
Test of the Cultural Accommodation Hypothesis
D. Watkins & M. Regmi |
Responses
to the Twenty Statements Test were obtained from 171 Nepalese university
students assigned to respond either in English or Nepali. Contrary
to the cultural accommodation hypothesis the respondents did not
provide more idiocentric self-references in the English language
condition. However, same language differences were found in specific
aspects of the collective self. The respondents, tended to provide
more small group self-references when responding in Nepali. Contrary
to the Western literature there was little evidence of gender differences
in self-construal. The need for finer-grained categorisation than
a simple individual or collective self was emphasised. Key words: self-concept, cultural accommodation, language of response, gender, Nepal |