Is It Easier to Be Happy in Anotther Language? How Language Shapes Happiness Ratings - with Political scientist Sofia Axelson

In this fun episode, we explore whether happiness means the same thing in different languages. Can the language you speak actually change how happy you say you are? Tune in to discover why it may be easier to say you are happy in English than in Swedish, and what that could mean for global happiness surveys and rankings.

Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-024-00827-7

Host: Professor Micael Dahlen
Guest: Political scientist Sofia Axelsson
Producer: Sandra Charléz
Sound Engineer: Christer Tjäder and Daniel Högberg
Music: Viktor Bergdahl

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THE HAPPY SCIENCE PODCAST

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1 juli 2025
S2:1 Can Winning The Lottery Buy Lasting Happiness?
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2 december 2024
11. Happiness or Good Looks: Which Comes First? - with Professor Delin Sun
15 min
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25 november 2024
10. Cheating and Happiness: What’s the Real Connection? - with Professor Olga Stavrova
14 min
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Is It Easier to Be Happy in Anotther Language? How Language Shapes Happiness Ratings - with Political scientist Sofia Axelson

Why Your Future Looks Bright (But Your Enemy’s Doesn’t) - with Professor Hallgeir Sjåstad

What Happens to Your Happiness When You Take Money from a Charity? - with Assistant Professor Frank Martela

Does the U.S. Election Affect Happiness in Europe? with Assistant Professor Jareef Martuza

S2:5 From Parents to Partners: How Divorces, DNA and Daily Connections Shape Our Wellbeing

S2:4 Climbing the Wrong Ladder? What Happiness Rankings Might Be Missing

S2:3 The Urban Happiness Gap: Are City Dwellers Destined to Be Less Happy?

S2:2 Born to Worry? How Genes and Life Events Shape Our Wellbeing

S2:1 Can Winning The Lottery Buy Lasting Happiness?

11. Happiness or Good Looks: Which Comes First? - with Professor Delin Sun

10. Cheating and Happiness: What’s the Real Connection? - with Professor Olga Stavrova

Is It Easier to Be Happy in Anotther Language? How Language Shapes Happiness Ratings - with Political scientist Sofia Axelson

Why Your Future Looks Bright (But Your Enemy’s Doesn’t) - with Professor Hallgeir Sjåstad

What Happens to Your Happiness When You Take Money from a Charity? - with Assistant Professor Frank Martela

Does the U.S. Election Affect Happiness in Europe? with Assistant Professor Jareef Martuza

S2:5 From Parents to Partners: How Divorces, DNA and Daily Connections Shape Our Wellbeing

S2:4 Climbing the Wrong Ladder? What Happiness Rankings Might Be Missing

S2:3 The Urban Happiness Gap: Are City Dwellers Destined to Be Less Happy?

S2:2 Born to Worry? How Genes and Life Events Shape Our Wellbeing

S2:1 Can Winning The Lottery Buy Lasting Happiness?

11. Happiness or Good Looks: Which Comes First? - with Professor Delin Sun

10. Cheating and Happiness: What’s the Real Connection? - with Professor Olga Stavrova