Trying your best in a second language? Here’s why native speakers seem so rude

By Irini Mavrou, Associate professor, Universidad Nebrija; UCL
Nicola McNab, Researcher and teacher trainer, Universidad Nebrija

Rudeness, whether real or perceived, can deeply affect cooperation, trust, and workplace culture. But judgements of what we consider rude aren’t confined to specific disrespectful words or phrases – they are shaped by the listener’s emotional processing, attention to non-verbal cues, and underlying moral stance.

In multilingual settings this complexity is compounded, as misunderstandings don’t just arise from vocabulary gaps or grammar mistakes. In fact, they often have more to do with ourselves – our own emotional and moral judgements of what others say and do – than the words being…

Read complete article

~	A concerto played with trash: Barbican offers a masterclass in thought-provoking classical programming

~	Indigenous-led renewable energy projects offer benefits that reach far beyond reducing carbon emissions

~	When war looks like prophecy: How U.S. ‘end time’ narratives frame the war with Iran

~	Human vision: what we actually see – and don’t see – tells us a lot about consciousness

~	The UK’s high electricity prices are here to stay. But could they offer an opportunity?

~	How moss could help roads cope with heavy rain and reduce air pollution

~	If you think your toddler’s often ill, you’re right – what going to nursery means for catching colds and building immunity

~	Masked T-cell engagers: cancer immunotherapies for the future?

~	How hatred of Jews became a common ground for Islamic terrorists and left-wing extremists, fueling domestic terrorism

~	Taking Churchill off the banknote isn’t ‘erasing history’ – but it is a matter of identity