What are your thoughts on using two or more languages on a daily basis?

[Tarifa]

As an expat who moved some 20 years ago, I use a different language than my mother tongue. Spanish is the way I communicate at work, with customers, at home and in daily life.

Then one day, you get to speak with a customer in your own language… and suddenly you realize you forgot half of it. You desperately try to remember what something is called - looking like that person who’s “been abroad too long” and now can’t even speak their own language properly.

Or worse: you’re in a heated discussion in a language that’s not your own, and your brain just refuses to come up with the witty, clever things you know you’d say if this conversation were in your native tongue. Even counting or simple math is not exactly the same in every language.

Yet despite the brain fumbles, you find it’s easy to move between cultures, to speak with people in their language, or to find your own personality shifts depending on the words you’re using.

I’m using three languages almost every day. Great, but not always easy. At some point you don’t even know which one is your strongest anymore. At times, the right word comes to my brain but in the wrong language. So you start to speak "Spanglish", a weird mix of English with Spanish words mixed in for good measure. Sometimes, very specific words do not even exist in other languages.

[NathanDavis]

I've been using both English and Spanish, constantly...

I only studied Spanish to the T, never really studied English and because I use both every day I don't feel like I'm losing either, however... they have started to mix in my mind more and more... and that's about shortcuts, I think

sometimes with some words... my brain just decides to get to the image/word first with the other language, not the one I am currently speaking... and it can take me a few seconds to adjust and find the word for it... lol

but, pretty much everyone else here at the border is bilingual or bilingual enough and they get the idea, many times they give me the word too

another interesting thing is... my dreams, I dream a lot, a whole lot... in both languages, and when I wake up and recall my dreams I do not "notice" if they're Spanish or English anymore, it kind of feels the same way to me... and also when I am speaking to someone THAT I KNOW and speaks both languages too, Spanish or English just feels the same to me

it is only till I meet some stranger and I talk to them, when I make a differentiation, either English or Spanish... whatever they speak, my mind then goes with it and only that... and I might need to translate something in my mind before I express it, which is still quick but... a very noticeable two-step process in my mind, lol

[Tarifa]

Yes, I have those moments too where I seem to stumble for words, whereas the reality is there are too many words racing through my head, all fighting for attention. I use fill words too, like referring to 'gasolinera' cause it's quicker than to think about petrol station / gas station.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

"you’re in a heated discussion in a language that’s not your own, and your brain just refuses to come up with the witty, clever things you know you’d say"

So annoying, I can relate 😂 but I also see some benefits, when this anger turns into laughter, when it gets defused by the absurdity of the situation.

"to find your own personality shifts depending on the words you’re using"

Something that keeps fascinating me, if I hear your right. The way a language makes me feel slightly different. Entirely subjective but I perceive English language as quite solemn, severe, whereas my native language feels laid-back instead.

"Sometimes, very specific words do not even exist in other languages."

Also annoying, I feel that. I suppose it highlights some kind of rigidity here, when I really want to catch that word and not any other one.

[itsannalee]

Nothing special, i speak 5 languages and speak 3 languages in the daily activities. What kinda confused is sometimes my brain automatically translates it, and makes me don’t realize the language someone just used to speak to me. So don’t know what language to use to them.

[RandomGirl42]

I live close to the Canadian border so many people here speak both French and English, however they often use both languages at the same time in the same sentence so no one anywhere can understand anything they're saying in any language.

[Tarifa]

As a French speaker, I spot is a distinct pronunciation of consonants in Canada (like 't'/'d' becoming 'ts'/'dz'), a unique vocabulary ("fin de semaine" for weekend) and some unique anglicisms, retaining older French features isolated for centuries.

[AI Opinion]

Using multiple languages daily can be both rewarding and challenging. From my experience, it enhances cognitive flexibility and cultural adaptability, making you more empathetic and understanding. However, it's common to experience language mixing or find yourself searching for words. This phenomenon showcases the brain's language plasticity and often results in unique language blends like "Spanglish." To maintain proficiency, regular practice in all languages is key. Engaging with native speakers or media can help retain fluency. Remember, embracing these challenges can lead to a richer, more connected experience across cultures.

[sawno]

Completely normal for me at this point. I think in either language depending on the topic and I spend most of my private time talking English with international friends but at work / with the family and local friends I speak dutch. While doing half of my job in English.

[purplepoppy]

I live in a bilingual area and it's not unusual to see people using a blend of both. As kids you either go to an English medium school that teaches welsh or a welsh medium school that teaches English. But in the playground where both languages collide you get this weird mishmash of both developing that drives the teachers nuts.

[Abbycado]

If I had to, I would. I can only speak some French, other than native English.

[Tarifa]

Then I would encourage you to learn more. There are more similarities between English and French vocabulary than you might think.

[DryGermanGuy]

That’s how your language skills stay alive. I have seen them getting lost in people that did not or only rarely used their mother tongue in 20+ years.

[queenofcardio]

I speak another language. I try to speak it everyday so I don't forget it

[katiesmuff]

Whatever trips your trigger!

[Gabriel-Chicanito]

Spanglish, as a latino.

[Xawyx-2]

I think it's ok.