Question for people whose native language isn't English

[Leezestarr313]

When you are conversant enough in a second (or third, or....), you think in the language you are speaking (or reading). Sometimes hou may not know a word or expression, then you go back 'native' and try to translate. Not sure if I've expressed this quite clearly enough.

No I think you did it perfectly actually. You used the word "think" which is the word I should have used. Does someone always "think" in their native language even when they are speaking a different one?

Personally, I think in the language I speak and read. I think this is just part of language acquisition and how it works. Reading is a bit different than 'on the spot' conversation - one can 'analyse' more.

And look things up!

[DS1119]

I wonder if this conversion happens when someone becomes fluent in a foreign language. This is fascinating to me actually. Makes me want to learn another language just to see how this works.

[Leezestarr313]

And by the way, DS - 4 years of Latin should enable you to learn Roman languages like Spanish, French or Italian faster and easier, cause Latin is the root language of all of them. I had to learn Latin at school as well, for 5 years, and I think this is part of why I get along with all those languages somehow, even though I never really learned all of them (except of French, which I took at school and also university).

[redrock]

Yep - and look things up! I must admit that, as most of my friends ar bilingual French and English, when I am within that group I also mix the two languages!

[dimitrispearljam]

Yep - and look things up! I must admit that, as most of my friends ar bilingual French and English, when I am within that group I also mix the two languages!

Would vous coucher avec moi tonight?

[morello]

When you are conversant enough in a second (or third, or....), you think in the language you are speaking (or reading). Sometimes you may not know a word or expression, then you go back 'native' and try to translate. Not sure if I've expressed this quite clearly enough.

No I think you did it perfectly actually. You used the word "think" which is the word I should have used. Does someone always "think" in their native language even when they are speaking a different one?

Personally, I think in the language I speak and read. I think this is just part of language acquisition and how it works. Reading is a bit different than 'on the spot' conversation - one can 'analyse' more.

I did a student exchange to Turkey for a year when I was 16(hence spending a week in Istanbul after PJ shows this June-July) & despite never having done languages at school picked the language up very quickly & very well(if I do say so myself) & I know back when I was fluent(I'm very rusty now, hoping it'll all come back to me when I'm there) it was amazing to be thinking in the other language. I think redrock has it completely right, or that's how it was for me anyway. I know my friends over there would use this crazy version of English & Turkish(Turkglish like Dimitris' Greekglish I guess). When a word in your native language works better, or you don't know the 2nd language equivalent we would just use whichever one was better. I know sometimes, still, but esecially as probably have Turkey on the brain a bit more atm, a Turkish word will come to mind coz it's a bettre fit to what I want to say. Anyway, JM2CW.

[DS1119]

And by the way, DS - 4 years of Latin should enable you to learn Roman languages like Spanish, French or Italian faster and easier, cause Latin is the root language of all of them. I had to learn Latin at school as well, for 5 years, and I think this is part of why I get along with all those languages somehow, even though I never really learned all of them (except of French, which I took at school and also university).

People have told me this. I'd love to learn Spanish because I think it would help me moving forward job wise.

[Leezestarr313]

And by the way, DS - 4 years of Latin should enable you to learn Roman languages like Spanish, French or Italian faster and easier, cause Latin is the root language of all of them. I had to learn Latin at school as well, for 5 years, and I think this is part of why I get along with all those languages somehow, even though I never really learned all of them (except of French, which I took at school and also university).

People have told me this. I'd love to learn Spanish because I think it would help me moving forward job wise.

Well ... Iniciarlo!

[he.who.forgets]

Interesting thread. DS

[DS1119]

And by the way, DS - 4 years of Latin should enable you to learn Roman languages like Spanish, French or Italian faster and easier, cause Latin is the root language of all of them. I had to learn Latin at school as well, for 5 years, and I think this is part of why I get along with all those languages somehow, even though I never really learned all of them (except of French, which I took at school and also university).

People have told me this. I'd love to learn Spanish because I think it would help me moving forward job wise.

Well ... Iniciarlo!

That's Greek to me.

[DS1119]

Interesting thread. DS

I have always wondered about this and since this is a worldwide community I wish I posted this sooner.

[Leezestarr313]

I had at least one incident where I didn't understand correctly what the talk was about and replied something that didn't match up It was about automatic cars vs. cars with manual transmission, I think.

[dimitrispearljam]

I had at least one incident where I didn't understand correctly what the talk was about and replied something that didn't match up .

never happened to me..

[redrock]

.....When a word in your native language works better, or you don't know the 2nd language equivalent we would just use whichever one was better.

Sometimes, if, say I am speaking English and find there is the 'perfect' French expression to express my thoughts, I will have a tendency to translate it, even if it doesn't have the same impact in English! I do dream in 'local' language as well. Depending who is in my dream, the setting, etc. Even if my Dutch is now rusty, I still find myself sometimes dreaming in this language. Somehow in my dreams, my rusty Dutch becomes nearly fluent!

[rick1zoo2]

if i dont know the word in english i wanna say and i talk to women i touch them
if i talk to men i slap them..

I need to try this