Introduction

Abstract

The study of human emotions needs input from the study of languages, now more than ever before. Advances in the science of brain physiology are identifying in ever greater detail the specific wave patterns and locations of brain activity that correspond to different affective or emotional states. Studies of this kind require high technology, and most of them are conducted in predominantly English speaking research environments. It is expected that their findings will apply to human brains generally, not just those of a particular language or cultural group (cf. e.g. Davidson and Ekman, eds. 1994; Ekman and Rosenberg, eds. 1997). Further research may confirm or challenge this expectation, but the research itself and the interpretation of its results hinge at certain crucial points upon questions of language. These questions have to be approached seriously, for the validity of scientific studies of emotional response may depend upon whether the issue of language is addressed in an informed way or by default.