Language contrasts and their effect on memory in the context of witness narratives: A cross-linguistic study of English, German and Czech motion event

The aim of this research is to uncover how language contrasts affect information content of witness narratives and what the cross-linguistic differences are between English, German and Czech. The focus is on three aspects of motion events - complexity, placement and intentionality. We want to determine what information speakers habitually provide and if their descriptions influence their memory when recalling certain aspects of the witnessed events. In witness narratives, information on movement of people and objects, their position as well as the intention is crucial for assignment of blame. The knowledge of these previously unexplored language contrasts will aid in the efficient elicitation of information from witnesses and allow for effective prompting for information. Raising awareness of these differences and their impact within the legal context will improve access to justice for speakers of minority languages within majority language systems (such as Czech speakers within the EU).

The research will follow an attested methodology. I will conduct three experiments with three groups of 50 monolingual native speakers (English, German and Czech). The first experiment will examine the lexicalisation of complex motion events, the second will be focused on the lexicalisation of the final object position (vertical or horizontal) in placement events and the third experiment on the expression of intentionality. All three experiments will also include a test of the participants' memory when recalling the relevant aspects of the events. The stimuli for this research consist of short videos of complex motion and caused events which have already been secured. The participants will be played several short videos and asked to provide a brief verbal description. After a non-linguistic distractor task, they will be asked to recall details of the events by answering neutral questions and ticking statements (for example if an object was placed in a vertical or horizontal position or if it was dropped accidentally or on purpose). This will be transcribed and analysed to gain understanding of the used lexicalisation patterns, the contrast between the three languages as well as the potential effect on memory.

This research could potentially lead to positive changes in professional practice of police officers and legal interpreters. Their knowledge of the contrasts and the strategies to overcome them would aid efficient elicitation and mediation of information in police and court settings. It would ensure greater fairness in the interview process and treatment of witnesses and victims in monolingual and multilingual legal communicative situations.