Alcoholic beverage vodka aids in learning foreign languages, according to U.S. research findings.
Study on Alcohol and Foreign Language Expressiveness Wins Ig Nobel Prize
In an unexpected turn of events, a study conducted eight years ago by psychologists Jessica Werthmann and Fritz Renner from Freiburg, Germany, has been honoured with an Ig Nobel Prize. The study, which investigated if alcohol can aid in expressing oneself better in a foreign language, has left many surprised and intrigued.
The research, published in an English-language specialist journal in 2017, involved 50 German students. Half of the participants were given a drink with vodka and bitter lemon, while the other half received only water. The study was carried out to determine if a moderate dose of alcohol could improve foreign language expressiveness.
To the researchers' surprise, the results showed that the students who consumed alcohol did not overestimate themselves and performed better in short conversations in Dutch, as evaluated by native speakers after the conversations. This finding was a key factor in the study's unexpected and amusing nature, which led to its selection for the Ig Nobel Prize.
The Ig Nobel Prizes are awarded annually for ten scientific studies that are designed to make people laugh and then think. This year, the prizes were given out by a magazine for curious research in the U.S. East Coast metropolis of Boston. The term "Ignoble" means "dishonorable" in German, but the Ig Nobel Prizes honour research that makes people laugh and then think, often by challenging conventional wisdom or common sense.
Jessica Werthmann, the psychologist behind the study, emphasized that the research results should not be misinterpreted. She clarified that while the study found that, under certain conditions, alcohol can indeed help with expressing oneself better in a foreign language, it does not mean that drinking alcohol is recommended for language learning. In fact, she stated that drinking alcohol to speak foreign languages is not recommended based on the results of the study.
Despite the controversy surrounding the study, Jessica Werthmann and Fritz Renner were honoured to receive the Ig Nobel Prize. They were recognised for their unique and thought-provoking research, which has sparked conversations and debates around the world.
In addition to her work on alcohol and foreign language expressiveness, Jessica Werthmann is currently working on improving therapy options for eating disorders. She continues to push the boundaries of psychology and challenge conventional wisdom, making her an inspiring figure in the field.
