Since globalization, using second languages (L2) to make decisions about future is more common than ever. In this study, we tested the merged effect of two language features, i.e., the future-time reference (FTR) and L2, on intertemporal decision and its indirect mediators, future orientation, and subjective future perception. As a pair of languages with different FTR, English (strong-FTR) has a clear grammatical separation between present and future, while Chinese (weak-FTR) does not. Here, Chinese first language (L1) speakers made intertemporal decisions using either Chinese (L1) or English (L2). Across three studies (N = 1022) and an internal meta-analysis, we found that using a strong-FTR L2 did not change participants’ intertemporal preference but did reduce their future orientation. These findings highlight a holistic perspective merging language features, outcome variables and measurement methods. These findings also imply a need for caution to use second language as nudge strategy in intertemporal decision-making.

自全球化以来，使用第二语言（L2）做出有关未来的决策比以往任何时候都更加普遍。在本研究中，我们测试了未来时间参考（FTR）和L2这两种语言特征对跨期决策及其间接中介、未来导向和主观未来感知的合并效应。作为一对具有不同 FTR 的语言，英语（强 FTR）在现在时和将来时之间有明显的语法分离，而汉语（弱 FTR）则没有。在这里，母语为中文（L1）的人使用中文（L1）或英语（L2）做出跨期决策。在三项研究 ( N = 1022) 和一项内部荟萃分析中，我们发现使用强 FTR L2 并没有改变参与者的跨期偏好，但确实减少了他们的未来方向。这些发现强调了融合语言特征、结果变量和测量方法的整体视角。这些发现还意味着需要谨慎使用第二语言作为跨期决策中的推动策略。