The adaptation of affective norms for English words (ANEW) to Ukrainian

Abstract

The expression and interpretation of emotions is closely related to specific characteristics of language and culture. Language provides a set of means to express emotions verbally. Culture influences how emotions are interpreted and processed, and provides prescriptions on how emotions can be expressed. The comparison of emotional evaluations of words in different languages and cultures contributes to a deeper understanding of the interconnection between language, culture, and emotions. The present study provides an adaptation of affective norms for English words, collected by Bradley and Lang (1999) and a comparison of Ukrainian, American, and Spanish affective norms (Bradley & Lang, 1999a). In Ukrainian, ratings on positive and negative valence are strongly correlated with ratings on arousal. Ukrainian males and females do not show typical gender stereotypes in emotional processing. Cross-cultural dif! ferences indicate a distinct interpretation of emotional valence, arousal, and dominance. The collection of affective norms for Ukrainian reveals differences in emotion processing by speakers of different language communities with different cultural backgrounds.